Bristleworm infestation - what to do?

[los.tejanos83]

I've noticed more and more worms in my tank...finally did some research and determined they are bristleworms. They're getting bigger and more numerous. Need suggestions quickly on how to eliminate. Will try to create some type of trap tomorrow. Also read that not feeding fish for 3-4 days can help; cant imagine not feeding for 4 days is going to eliminate problem. Any other ideas greatly appreciated.

Angelo

[edshas2]

Well first bristleworms are actually good for your tank they will eat leftover food keep things a bit cleaner if you really dont like them get a 6line wrasse it will eat them, but it will also eat all pods it finds and they can be aggressive towards other fish and inverts even though there not that big

[Kristy]

Agree the bristleworms are not really a bad thing, unless they get too big for your tank. You can usually suck them up with a turkey baster when you see them. We have a bunch in the small tank, and at one time got an arrow crab to eat them. I sucked one up one time, flipped it to the crab who immediately cut it in half and started chowing on it. But just like anything else, the arrow crabs can be a problem sometimes too.

[los.tejanos83]

From what i had read in some forums, i thought these worms were considered "pests." Also, i was informed that should i place clams in my fish/reef tanks, these bristleworms can harm the clams.

Kristy/edshas2, what do you think about not feeding fish for 3-4 days? Not certain about the effectiveness of eliminating bristleworms.

[los.tejanos83]

forgot to mention, i've had a six lline wrasse for several months and have never seen it consume a worm.

[beerguy]

not feeding your fish is a bad idea. bristle worms are not bad (like the above posters stated) if you really dont like them then buy a wrasse thats appropriately sized for your tank. but the bigger the wrasse, the more they eat. but like everything else they too can cause problems. if you really want to get rid of them dont buy a bristle worm trap (waste of money) get a clear pen with a screw cap top and place a small piece of krill in there. watch the pen and eventually a worm will get in there and you can easily take it out. *warning* putting krill in your tank, even a small amount, will cause you to have elevated toxins. how many gallons are we talking here? but its the same thing they give you in the bristle worm trap only theirs is freeze dried.

[los.tejanos83]

I have 120g tank with a protein skimmer and refugium. Just read on another web site that a flame hawkfish may also help eliminate bworms. I wasnt too concerned a week ago, but now i see these worms in the substrate and crawling thru the crevices/holes in live rock. I've read how they can multiply fast, and am now witnessing this fact.

[papijames]

The theory about the flame hawk might be true. I got a few of them from Bstreep so they could eat left over food, but after I added the my flame hawk they disappeared. :(

[CoryDude]

I've only lost a few baby clams (1"-3") to what I suspect was a large bristleworm. But, they (bristle worm) have to get pretty large to pose a threat.

Best way to I've found to remove them is to wait till the tank lights are off, find out which rock the oversized varmit is living in and pull the rock from the tank. Then you can go after him.

But, like everyone else has said, most of those smaller ones you're seeing are harmless and a benefit to your tank.

[edshas2]

Also depriving your tank from food wont kill them. they usually come as hitchhickers on rock thats been with wtihout food for more than a few days.

[alton]

Long nose Hawk fish and Pseudochromas eat bristle worms

[Mr Cob]

Just wanted to add that it takes a lot longer than a couple of weeks for a fish to starve so you can imagine that it would take much, much, much longer for a bottom feeder to starve.

[los.tejanos83]

Thanks for all the posts...have wanted to add a flame hawkfish...guess i'll simply keep an eye out for the 'loch ness' monster type bristleworm and leave all others alone.:applause:

[tropheusmaster]

Bristol Worms have no jaw so they can do no harm to corals or fish. also i have a 6 line wrasse and it is gentle and harmless

[ErikH]

I have a whole load of bristleworms in both of my tanks. They have never attacked a clam or a seahorse for that matter. Infact, they are my primary clean up crew in my SH tank, along with spaghetti worms. Wrasses tend to be jumpers, so unless you have a specialized cover over your tank, I wouldn't purchase one.

[runamukus]

When I had my 55 setup, my coral banded shrimp would hunt for bristle worms and eat them. I watched several times as it got excited, pulling a bristle worm out of a rock and then tearing it apart and eating it. In my biocube 14, I THOUGHT I saw my cleaner shrimp going to town on a bristle worm, but it moved to the back too quickly for me to be sure. I have tons (well not tons but lots) of bristle worms in my 14 gal biocube and they have not caused any problems yet...

[reefer man]

ive heard that if u place some food in a piece of panty hose and tie it in a knot nd leave it for a while they willsomehow get into it

[drgnbttrfly]

I have a

Cleaner Wrasse
Lunar Wrasse
Sixline Wrasse

and I kept an Eightline for a significant period for someone else


I have NEVER had a problem with jumping...

knock on wood but the only time they try to jump is when I am actively trying to net them.

My topless tanks I kept the water at least 1.5 inches down...up to three depending on the size

My main tank is a 125 long Oceanic. It has a glass top with a considerable space in the back. I have the plastic add ons...but since my tank is not predrilled there is alot going out and there is room to get out.

I kept the tank uncovered for months with no problem.

My wrasses don't even start when I put my hand in the tank now. They are familiar with where I feed in the tank and move toward me when I come to that area. They are smarter than we give them credit for.

Jumping IMHO...means fear or danger...be it tank condition or they are actually just afraid...

If you QT your wrasse for 6-8 weeks and give it time to get to know you and that you will feed it and love it and not hurt it even when you mess with the tank...if you do water to water transfers (no flipping suffocating fish) they will essentially learn to trust you and will stay put.