How to get rid of Bristleworms

[pianomanzz]

Hello, I'm looking for advise on how to get rid of these annoying worms. They don't seem to hurt anything but I hate seeing them pop out of the rocks when I feed.. Plus i'm going to be setting up a 90 reef ready and would like to transfer in the live sand and rocks sans Bristleworms... any suggestions please?

 

[s_kelley]

I wouldn't. They are part of your clean up crew. If u have any abnormally large ones grab em with some tongs and flush em.

 

[inverted]

^^^+1 you can grab them with tongs when you see them, but honestly they can get into a lot of nooks and crannies and really help keep your tank clean. Personally I think a good pair of gloves for working in the tank would be a better way to go though, but it's up to you if the creepy factor outweighs the benefits

 

[szambodi]

If you do want to get rid of them, Banded coral shrimp to eat them.

 

[Royalty]

I found a 12 inch one I buged out I didn't know at the time that they got that big it was crazy I only found it because I had to take down my tank I got pictures you guys wouldn't believe how big it was. Maybe you could get a Arrow crab but they tend to attack other polyps.

 

[pianomanzz]

Thanks for the info folks.. maybe I'll get a coral banded shrimp just to try and keep them under control..

 

[jamesdong009]

If you do want to get rid of them, Banded coral shrimp to eat them.

Thanks for the info folks.. maybe I'll get a coral banded shrimp just to try and keep them under control..

This might be hit or miss. I have a CBS and haven't noticed a decline in bristleworm population. Although, I have read other people having success with them.

 

[labnjab]

Our coral banded shrimp completely destroyed our bristle worm population in the matter of a month or so. I don't think I've seen one in 2 years.

 

[Jocko]

Supposedly one of the infinite uses of the acclimate is as a bristleworm trap if you turn the inner box around and put it in the outer box backwards. Although I've never felt the need to try it. I think that might work for bigger worms maybe?

Although the population will just grow back to the same size again. So you'd have to make it a routine. Yeah maybe CBS would be better. Heh.

 

[jango]

There population size is directly related to how much food they have available. keep the tank clean and dont over feed the population will decline.

 

[inverted]

There population size is directly related to how much food they have available. keep the tank clean and dont over feed the population will decline.

+1, sorry though someone mentioned that, but it looks like we all forgot the most important part.... They definitely won't grow and multiply if there isn't excess food and detritus. Could be due to flow and filtration to, or lack of, but if you can keep food from settling into your rocks and sand, there there will be nothing for them to eat.