Worm Looking thing

[butwa20]

Need to know if this is good or bad befor I put the rock in.
http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d38/Rentarox123/1296955065.jpg

[butwa20]

also on the rock were these little flat brown blob looking things that came off the rock on to the sides of the bag when i started looking.

[BSJF]

Depends. some like them some don't. But, on the left mid side of the photo, on the mushroom, there is something scary, maybe flatworm?

[BSJF]

Yip, flatworms. looks like you found more. Make sure and do a freshwater dip, swish it around, and check for eggs too. Best to QT if you have one.

[butwa20]

How long do u freshwater dip for? And are the worms really bad

[allan]

You don't want them bub.

[butwa20]

Best wayto get ride of them fast just pluck them? And what eggs look like

[BSJF]

They should start to come off immediately. I think I usually leave them in there about 5 minutes. Match temp. It should take care of the worms too.

[jroescher]

The long brown/orange worm is a bristle worm. You can pick it off if you can catch it, BUT WEAR GLOVES OR USE FORCEPS. Those little spikes on the side are like fire if they get in your skin. However, no matter your best efforts, you are probably going to end up with them in your tank. Almost everyone will tell you they are harmless and beneficial as the consume detritus.

[Elizabeth]

As far as the bristle worms are concerned, I've had a rather...interesting experience and I was wondering if it was unique. I am completely convinced (based on my infested tank, the 29g biocube), that bristleworms believe themselves to be highlanders. While I am sure I have dozens if not hundreds of the babies around at any given time, when it comes to the big guys (you know, the ones that you mistake for giant octopus legs/big fat rubber bands/oh dear lord what is that thing in your fish tank), there can only be one. I always have JUST ONE of the big guys at a given time. When I inevitably pull him out and kill him like the gross worm he is, a new worm grows to take his place very shortly. I've tried everything, including pulling all my rocks and cleaning them with a microscope and baby tweezers, and still I have a new big fat fatty within weeks. I'm not that irritated by them, as they don't seem to touch anything else in the tank, but I just wonder if everyone deals with this one-giant-worm issue?

[johnsutter71]

I'm in the process of using a bristle worm trap but my cleanup crew is going nuts trying to get to the bait. I've read all the pros and cons so I'm on the fence. I've never seen them attack any of my corals though. Their ugly but since the freaks only come out at night I'm not to concerned. I'd get a wrasse but the l once had a six line that attacked and killed a crocea clam that my wife loved.

[sergiotami]

Sorry to read about your clams.. I've had a six line wrasse for months, never even comes close to any of my clams...

[Mike]

No, we have not experience that. We do have a ton in the small tank, as nothing eats them. Our opinion is they are good parts of your cleanup crew.

Just say no to the flatworms.

[johnsutter71]

My bristle worm trap didn't work last night. Probably to much attention from the snails and crabs. No issues though. Next thought is maybe a dottyback. Does anyone know if they nip corals or inverts? Arrow crabs are out of the question.