HUGE Bristle worm Question?

[phiberop840]

I just cought a huge bristle worm out of my 40. its about 1/4 inch X 6 inches long. Is he a good thing to remove. I have heard of them getting to big and thats when they can be an issues. Or should i just put him back and be glad I got to observe him???

Thanks
Mike

[DebsSisterFlo]

For a reef tank they're good cleaners, I'd put him back!
Saying that, I just removed one that was all of 4" long from a piece of dead coral that I got yesterday with my gorgeous feather duster. I had to remove the duster (sure hope it's ok) and then I soaked the coral in freshwater overnight. I removed it because I'm putting everything from my 20g into the 38g once it's cycled. It is going to be a seahorse tank and I've read bad things about how horses can get hurt by bristles, and I don't want to take the chance. I know I have more bristles in my 20g but they're much smaller than this one.

[Geoff]

they are fine. i would put it back, but i know they wigg a lot of people out, so it is up to you.

G~

[Twitterbait]

If you do a lot of work in the tank then remove it. they have a bad habit of leaving bristels behind and after a half hour or so of workin you can end up with prickly palms and that hurts for a few days. that is the only big downside.

[three90s&125sump]

They give me the heebeegeebees. I leave them in the tank because I know how good they are for the tank but eveytime I have to get in there and do some work I find my self being skiddish to say the least. I have never been stung by one and don't want to ever be. If anything having them in the tank helps keep my hands out of it.

[DebsSisterFlo]

rubber gloves!!!

[three90s&125sump]

I'm to lazy for that. Besides some bristle worms have been reported to have stung through leather gloves.

[phiberop840]

well i kept him quarantined and spent dinner with him at the table......debating if i should put him back. I already have a poisonous fish that i now get attacked by everytime i put my hand in the tank. Just cause he is getting used to the tank and me in it. So a 5 to six inch B worm is no help knowing that i have more in the tank.. hmmmmm dont know..

Mike

[phiberop840]

Originally Posted by DebsSisterFlo

rubber gloves!!!

Thats Hardcore!!

[Jitoo]

Anybody got pics of what a Bristle worm looks like?

[ski1297]

Try this http://www.chesapeakebay.net/polychaete.htm

[Fly Guy]

I have a 46 bowfront loaded with rock and corals and a month or so ago i found 2 worms, 1 which was about 10 inches and another which was about 8 inches and I caught the larger one attacking and eating one of my hermit crabs. I then did a hermit crab inventory and i was down to less than ten. I spent the next week (to the dismay of my signifigant other) hunting down these bad boys and killing them in the middle of the night. I now kill any worm that is more than a few inches long. The bigger worm was not actually a bristleworm. I have yet to find anyone to help me identify it. I have attached a couple of pics if anyone knows anything. It has a harder shell and its legs are more like actual legs than the bristles of a bristleworm. The thing was super agile and i would put my money on the worm if it were to get in a fight with my eel.---ok...i cant attach the pics...they are way too big. I could shrink them down but the clarity is important to be able to identify them. Anyone who would like to help me identify them and wanted to email me personally, i would love to forward the pics for you to see. : )

[titanfan]

When they get to be that size I have read they can become bolder and food need is higher. This puts a risk to living creatures in your tank. I personally would remove it. Plenty of baby ones will then have the chance to take its place.

[btang]

Here is a shot of one of my little babies.

I have a few this size, they are great cleanup crew for dead items in the tank.

[ChrisPrusha]

Does anyone know the distinguishing features/characterstics of a fireworm that makes it different from a regular bristleworm?