Tank Surprise - Bristle Worm

[dagger]

I was feeding my orange spotted goby and pistol shrimp today. They have a hole under a rock that they both live in so I take a turkey baster and shoot the mysis into their den.

Much to my surprise, a bristle worm poked his head out today to grab the mysis. Centipede looking things creep me out, but I know that bristle worms can play an important role in keeping the tank clean.

I just can't believe that the goby, pistol shrimp, and bristle worm all share the same hole. Is it possible that the bristle worm gets big enough to eat either the shrimp or the goby?

 

[JohnK]

I wouldn't worry. They are probably in crevises all over your rocks. Good guys, creepy but good..

 

[NHemmasreef]

Great scavengers and usually harmless. People think they are bad cuz they see them eating a fish but that fish 99% of the time died and than the worms started puttin in work. If you are over-run with them it typically indicates over feeding. And i dont think you goby/shrimp have anything to worry about, as a matter of fact theh have a live in maid service.
Side note- it sucks gettn a handful of their "hairs"

 

[dagger]

Thank you both for the responses!

It definitely creeps me out. I still have no idea how they all fit in that hole!

I love the analogy of a live in maid service. This is the only one I've seen thus far. I have a nano tank so I'd be surprised if there's more. Then again, new creatures keep showing up randomly - I just found a stomatella snail I hadn't seen ever before - so it wouldn't be surprising if there's other things in my tank, too.

 

[frank180reef]

is it fair to say that you dont want to touch them? i grap a rock and pretty sure got a brissle worm, my finger has been swelled up for a week

 

[Reef_Wizard]

I also have seen one (or may be 2) of bristal worm at the entrance of goby+shrimp cave. It usually comes out during feeding time. It's creppy and an eye-sore when you want to enjoy your goby and shrimp. As stated above, it can sting so wear glove when you have to handle the rocks.

 

[WarSea378]

I was shocked during one feeding a few weeks ago when I saw a few of them after I fed my fish then moved a rock back in place. Since then, they have become larger and more bold. I too love finding new critters like my black urchin with blue rings around the base of the spikes (arms). I don't mind the worms as much now that I know they are a maid service rather than damaging but they're getting big and numerous! I heard there's a few ways to make traps, look them up online if you want them somewhat controlled. I'm sure I will be making one soon.

 

[JohnK]

If the bristle population seems to be growing you may be overfeeding a bit. Usually they are more or less limited by food supply.

If you feel you must remove some, put some smelly food in a woman's stocking, tie it off, and sink it in the tank at lights out. In the am remove the stocking and the worms that'll be stuck to it

 

[Reef_Wizard]

Has anyone used bristle worm trap? Does it work? http://www.marinedepot.com/Coralife...ter_Aquariums-Coralife-ES09550-FIMIBN-vi.html