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03-16-2009, 10:29 PM
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#1
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Little Fishy
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: Tennessee
Posts: 180
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Bristle Worms.. A Beginners question.
Ok, you have probably answered this question hundreds of times. While feeding last night I noticed several spiky worms reaching out of my rock and grabbing stuff. I know that these are bristle worms. The question is, are they really bad? I have read mixed reviews. Some sites say they are all harmful, and others say that they are good scavengers and often do not harm corals. Any suggestions? Lol I know they creep my wife out. She may not ever stick her hand in there again.
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"Analogies, it is true, decide nothing, but they can make one feel more at home."-Sigmund Freud
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03-16-2009, 11:20 PM
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#2
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I've got the REEF rash!
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: New Jersey
Posts: 34,137
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Newbie-Reefer
Ok, you have probably answered this question hundreds of times. While feeding last night I noticed several spiky worms reaching out of my rock and grabbing stuff. I know that these are bristle worms. The question is, are they really bad?No! I have read mixed reviews. Some sites say they are all harmful, and others say that they are good scavengers and often do not harm corals. Any suggestions?Enjoy! Lol I know they creep my wife out. She may not ever stick her hand in there again.
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You don't want to touch them(they have tiny hairs that will stick in and hurt and very hard to get all of them out!).
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03-16-2009, 11:45 PM
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#3
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Little Fishy
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: Tennessee
Posts: 180
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I knew that they could sting. as far as danger to my tank inhabitants I am gathering that I should not listen to the hype. It seems that only the large ones are a real danger. Am I correct? Thanks for the response.
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"Analogies, it is true, decide nothing, but they can make one feel more at home."-Sigmund Freud
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03-17-2009, 09:38 AM
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#4
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spaceman spiff
 
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: south of Dimples
Posts: 10,632
Reviews: 72
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Even the large ones are merely scavengers, they just get more aggressive in how they go after food. They don't pose any real risk to the tank, and a good Halichoeres species wrasse will keep the population in check. some folks are indeed sensitive to them and will get rashes if they touch them, but that' usually the end of it (only skin irritation).
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03-20-2009, 10:29 PM
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#5
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I loves me a water change
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: WI
Posts: 7,901
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What they said! 
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Chris
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03-20-2009, 10:57 PM
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#6
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Little Fishy
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: Tennessee
Posts: 180
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Thanks for the advice every one.
__________________
"Analogies, it is true, decide nothing, but they can make one feel more at home."-Sigmund Freud
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03-20-2009, 11:06 PM
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#7
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Son of Jor El
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Springfield MO
Posts: 4,580
Reviews: 52
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There are a very small minority of worms that can be a problem. TO identify one of those you would need to look at their head. If you get one more than 6 inches then it might be worth watching. Everyone I know has them in there tank and every once in a great great while you hear about a bad one munching corals or something. I don't know anyone that bothers putting the little ones under a microscope to look at their heads I have actually paid for them before 
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Jeremy http://www.thereeftank.com/forums/f7...ef-119089.html
Did I ever tell you about the time Brasky went hunting? Well anyway, Brasky decides he's gonna hunt down all four members of the Banana Splits. He stalks and kills every one of them with a machete. They all beg for their lives, except Fleagul.
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03-20-2009, 11:18 PM
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#8
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Little Fishy
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: Tennessee
Posts: 180
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I noticed that many people do buy them because of their cleaning abilities. I guess I just fell into the horror stories too much. I have not noticed any damage to any corals in ym tank, and I guess I wont worry until I do.
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"Analogies, it is true, decide nothing, but they can make one feel more at home."-Sigmund Freud
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