Small species on live rock harmful?

[hmobahi]

Hello,
I just started a reeftank and so far there is only live rock in there. I have discovered a lot of different species living on those rocks and I want to learn more about two of them. There are three questions here where you guidance would be appreciated.
I) 5-legged species with white color and half inch in diameter. I found pictures of larger versions on the internet that are called brittle star, so probably this is one of them. Questions:
1. Is this harmful to corals?
2. Are they babies of something or they are actually that size and do not grow bigger?
3. Are they stingy?
II) Small (probably bristle) worms...They are hairy worms which make sudden fast movements.
Same three sub-questions that I asked for question (I) again made me wonder.
III) As the tank does not have any coral yet, I am not feeding anything. Ideally, I hope this makes good species (smaller ones which are usually harmless) stay alive as they might eat from algaes, and the ones which need real food to get bigger (and so potentialy more harmful) to die from starvation. Is this true or even the ones that can get bigger grow in this situation anyway?
Your adviace would be highly appreciated.
Regards
Mobahi

 

[kingsmith]

Originally Posted by hmobahi
http:///forum/post/2752298
Hello,
I just started a reeftank and so far there is only live rock in there. I have discovered a lot of different species living on those rocks and I want to learn more about two of them. There are three questions here where you guidance would be appreciated.
I) 5-legged species with white color and half inch in diameter. I found pictures of larger versions on the internet that are called brittle star, so probably this is one of them. Questions: mINI Brittle Star
1. Is this harmful to corals? no
2. Are they babies of something or they are actually that size and do not grow bigger? not much bigger3. Are they stingy? no
II) Small (probably bristle) worms...They are hairy worms which make sudden fast movements.
Same three sub-questions that I asked for question (I) again made me wonder. Might be a bristle or fire worm is it red? could be harmful if they get too big or too many and yes I beleive they can sting you
III) As the tank does not have any coral yet, I am not feeding anything. Ideally, I hope this makes good species (smaller ones which are usually harmless) stay alive as they might eat from algaes, and the ones which need real food to get bigger (and so potentialy more harmful) to die from starvation. Is this true or even the ones that can get bigger grow in this situation anyway? Good question not so sure but I wouldn't worry too much just try and identify your hitchhikers by posting pics/descripts and SWF members wiill help.
Your adviace would be highly appreciated.
Regards
Mobahi
Good Luck
King

 

[hmobahi]

Thank you King for the answers. The small worms look dark red. I will try to provide a picture tonight, but I am not sure if my camera can zoom that much as the worms are very small.
So it seems the last question is still open and I would appreciate other answers to that.

 

[mr_x]

the small worms are good for your tank. a free cleanup crew. the worms you should worry about are rarely seen in our aquariums. i wouldn't kill them off.
you should not feed your tank with no (storebought) livestock in it. there is enough food in and on the rock to sustain everything.
welcome to the hobby, and i also wish you success.

 

[paintballer768]

Bristleworms are great free members of the clean up crew (CUC). There is a few species (out of a ton possible) that will eat corals, but that would be unlikely. They eat leftovers and fish waste, and the only really bad things about them is
1) they look creepy when they get big
2) they can prick your finger and make it hurt for a bit.
and Welcome to SWF!! Dont be afraid to ask anymore questions you may have

 

[morval]

Originally Posted by Mr_X http:///forum/post/2752463
you should not feed your tank with no (storebought) livestock in it. there is enough food in and on the rock to sustain everything.
wont ghost feeding help the cycle start rather than waiting for live rock die off?
to the OP any life you have on the rock now would most likely be benificial to your tank. look up what you have here: https://forums.saltwaterfish.com/t/163703/hitchhiker-identifications

 

[hmobahi]

Thank you all for the answers. All the answers taught me something.The linkto the small species in reef tank was very useful; with those pictures it is easy to learn what I have in there.
Mobahi

 

[mr_x]

Originally Posted by morval
http:///forum/post/2753360
wont ghost feeding help the cycle start rather than waiting for live rock die off?
why are you waiting? new live rock already has plenty of dead stuff on and in it. there's no need to add more. it won't be any faster. as a matter of fact, it will take more time for the small amount of bacteria to process more ammonia.