| General Reef Discussion In this forum we discuss issues related to keeping marine and reef aquariums in a friendly flame-free environment. |
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03-26-2002, 08:39 PM
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#1
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sandman
Join Date: Sep 2001
Location: Dallas Area
Posts: 492
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to remove or not to remove, that is the question....
well folks...
i finally saw him for the first time the other night. after swearing up and down that i must be the only person in the whole world without one in his tank, i found out i was wrong. he's not only sneaky, but really large as well. figure out what i'm talking about? well, the pest is, of course, a bristleworm, and a magnificent specimen at that. i've heard of larger, but this sucka must be six or eight inches long! and to think that i've never seen him before now! do you guys think i should remove him? i have absolutely NO evidence that he's doing anything bad at this point, but i've heard horror stories about them i was wondering what opinions you wonderful people had....
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03-26-2002, 08:44 PM
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#2
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Shark
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: Independence, KY
Posts: 1,030
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Hey Reefguy,
I got 1 in my tank also, he is about 5 inches long. Like yours I only catch my boy out about once a month if I am lucky. No signs that he is doing anything wrong either so I am going to leave mine go. 
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Jim
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03-26-2002, 08:47 PM
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#3
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Super Moderator
Join Date: Jan 1999
Location: Southern Oregon, Way West of Dimples ;)
Posts: 21,731
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The vast majority of polycheate worms refered to as bristleworms are harmless scavengers. A few species are probable eaters of valued polyps and the for the most part they are the same species refered to as Fireworms, very unpleasent to handle but not common in most reef tanks. OVer all I would ignore it, they are a good thing to have
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03-26-2002, 10:47 PM
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#4
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senior member
Join Date: Jan 2000
Location: Walnut Grove, SC, USA
Posts: 13,423
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Re: to remove or not to remove, that is the question....
Quote:
Originally posted by reefguy
well folks.. ...the pest is, of course, a bristleworm, and a magnificent specimen at that...
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Leave it in, the larger ones are the most prolific at producing new larvae, which not only keep your sandbed cleaned and capable of handling large amounts of both carbon and nitrogen, but provide food to your corals via egg/sperm and zygotes. Think of it as a brood hen...
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Tom <"))))>(
(TDWyatt)
Wise men speak because they have something to say; fools, because they have to say something. -Plato
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03-27-2002, 04:21 AM
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#5
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Little Fishy
Join Date: Nov 2001
Location: Des Moines, Iowa
Posts: 115
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I agree with the rest-- leave him there.
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03-27-2002, 05:56 AM
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#6
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vvvvvvvvvvv
Join Date: Jan 2001
Location: The Void
Posts: 1,235
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The next time you see that puny little 6-incher (I've seen specimens thrice that in length, in 55-gal reeftanks), say hi, and 'thank you'.
To be fair, there is no shortage of DANGEROUS polychaete worms, they just don't show up in our reeftanks: too fat and obvious, and their young don't seem to find what's needed to grow/stay alive.
Some Eunicids are capable of hunting small fish, but these tend to be short (7") and very thick, with a mouth sporting mandibles that scream of fish predation (think of a carrot-sized worm buried upright in the sand, with a large pincer above the sand ready to snap shut on a blundering fish).
horge
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03-27-2002, 09:08 AM
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#7
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sandman
Join Date: Sep 2001
Location: Dallas Area
Posts: 492
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thanks guys....i guess i will leave the booger in. imagine my surprise, though, when i first saw him glad to hear that he's something good to have  |
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