I spotted what I believe is Bristleworms?? What do I do????

[Moose]

I just googled some worms, and the one that looks like what I have seen are called Bristleworms. There are a BUNCH!!! Does anyone know how to get rid of these???

 

[MikeG]

They are a good scavenger and a normal part of the reef ecosystem. I wouldn't get rid of them unless they are monstrously large.

 

[Moose]

everything I have read, says they are bad, and eat corals and anenomies. I have lost quite a few corals, a shrimp, and two smaller anenomies.... Could these guys be doing it?

 

[JayM]

they generally don't attack live things unless they're pretty big, like Barry: http://scienceblogs.com/zooillogix/2009/03/barry_the_coral_ripper.php

 

[Moose]

WOW... Yea, so the biggest I have seen so far is an inch maybe a little bigger, BUT, there are alot. The other day I saw only one crawling up the back wall and rock, it ran an hid from the light. Today light on, I saw at least 4 on one rock, and more on another. I have a dottyback, and was thinking to get a coral banded shrimp or two, but I also have snails and hermit crabs the shirmp might try to eat.

 

[JohnK]

If you have tons of them, it's a sign that you are overfeeding. That said, what you read is wrong. They are good, normal and inevitable in a healthy reef tank.