Bristle Worms

[exnisstech]

They’re not harmless

When they get big enough they’ll go after things - many people have reported this

They have a nasty sting which will prevent you from doing things in the tank with your hands lest you get a handful of painful quills stuck in you

Micro brittle stars don’t do that

You can absolutely prevent them with dry rock and being careful with frags

My mistake was thinking the small ones were an inch or more - but they’ll actually be as small as 1/4inch or perhaps even smaller

You can avoid with dips or removing frag plugs

Make the decision for yourself and ignore the braying group think

Are you speaking from first hand experience or repeating what you've heard or read online?
I find them to be a very good addition to the CUC but to each his own. People should know they are not nearly as dangerous as you make them sound. This little guy thought I was going to dump him but I grabbed him to add to my new tank.

 

[Screwby]

I noticed a few in my tanks and usually try to grab them with my forceps when I see them. I never touch them with my bare hands as the bristles can be irritating. I also bought an arrow crab to help keep them in check, although I doubt I will ever eradicate them. I think an arrow crab is a good choice because they are also active at night when the worms ae most active. I rarely see them during the day cycle except when I feed.

With that said, I believe they are also a beneficial part of the cuc. I just choose to remove them if and when I see them because nobody really wants to look at worms crawling around, lol

 

[Mark Goode]

One tore my friend's arm off.

 

[EeyoreIsMySpiritAnimal]

When they get big enough they’ll go after things - many people have reported this

Many people are mistaken. The scavengers cannot smell/sense live flesh.

Make the decision for yourself and ignore the braying group think

Hyperbolic much?

 

[VintageReefer]

They don’t go after anything that’s alive. People see them eating things. But, those things died or were already wasting away. They are doing their job and eating before the item decays and foils the water.

They are no more dangerous than a cactus. Just don’t grab them bare handed and you’re fine.

 

[PotatoPig]

My 2c:

Keeping these out of a tank is mostly a fools errand. They and their eggs come in on live rock, clean up crew and coral frags. You’d need to put a huge effort into keeping them out, for dubious levels of benefit. Once they’re in the tank they’re in there forever, best you’ll manage is population control.

As others have mentioned- they’re generally beneficial, albeit ugly, critters to have in the tank.

 

[KiddoReefer]

They do multiply quickly and get large but my reef has been fine for the last two years.

i really like your tank i also have a 32 gallon biocube and want to know how your filtration is set up im always having a hard time keeping my water clean im pretty new to saltwater if you dont mind showing some pictures of your filtration

 

[ChrisfromBrick]

that’s why I dip aggressively. I have plenty of CUC. These things can sting you and if you are doing delicate like holding a rock, you could end up with a catastrophic outcome. That is of course if you aren’t wearing gloves. lol. Would rather just not have them

 

[GatorGreg]

dang dude. Afraid of worms? I love having them in my tank. Beneficial CUC. Not even remotely afraid of getting stung by them either

You guys wouldn’t last 10 mins with me hacking through thicket with a chainsaw looking for whitetail tracks and sign in summer time. I guess I’d have to give you CPR the first time a giant banana spider was crawling on the back of your neck.


I’m surprised at how many dudes on here are willing to admit they’re scare of a worm.

 

[VintageReefer]

dang dude. Afraid of worms? I love having them in my tank. Beneficial CUC. Not even remotely afraid of getting stung by them either

You guys wouldn’t last 10 mins with me hacking through thicket with a chainsaw looking for whitetail tracks and sign in summer time. I guess I’d have to give you CPR the first time a giant banana spider was crawling on the back of your neck.


I’m surprised at how many dudes on here are willing to admit they’re scare of a worm.

Unbelievable really. Guess buncha city folk

The “stings” aren’t even bad. If I get one or two I pluck it out with tweezers like a splinter. One time I had a whole row of them. Little Elmer’s glue and peeled them all out at once like taking off a bandaid.

 

[ChrisfromBrick]

dang dude. Afraid of worms? I love having them in my tank. Beneficial CUC. Not even remotely afraid of getting stung by them either

You guys wouldn’t last 10 mins with me hacking through thicket with a chainsaw looking for whitetail tracks and sign in summer time. I guess I’d have to give you CPR the first time a giant banana spider was crawling on the back of your neck.


I’m surprised at how many dudes on here are willing to admit they’re scare of a worm.

what a manly man you are. The point is, the sting could startle you to their where you drop something or hit an lps and break it. Has nothing to do with “being scared.” I’ve been stung by some nasty hornets and bitten by snakes. Not something I feel embarrassed to admit, but i’d rather avoid it. Just like getting into scraps with people.

bloodworms gross me out when i fish with them. Spiders as well. I don’t feel humiliated to admit it.

 

[merkmerk73]

cockroaches are harmless CUC too

 

[ChrisfromBrick]

cockroaches are harmless CUC too

now those things scare me. Biggie spiders too

 

[VintageReefer]

We get these. And I am not embarrassed to admit I hate them

 

[BristleWormHater]

There are no horror stories other than the ones that come from people’s nightmares. They are very beneficial clean up crew members and exist in most tanks. Some people irrationally try to eradicate them solely because they get the “heebie jeebies” from them. They will not harm anything. Just don’t touch them…

Even I'll admit he's right

 

[Formulator]

Even I'll admit he's right

I was waiting for you to chime in, considering your username

 

[BristleWormHater]

When I see a thread about bristleworms:

I was waiting for you to chime in, considering your username

 

[BristleWormHater]

My 2c:

Keeping these out of a tank is mostly a fools errand. They and their eggs come in on live rock, clean up crew and coral frags. You’d need to put a huge effort into keeping them out, for dubious levels of benefit. Once they’re in the tank they’re in there forever, best you’ll manage is population control.

As others have mentioned- they’re generally beneficial, albeit ugly, critters to have in the tank.

Also important to mention that you will hardly EVER see them

 

[VintageReefer]

I have a question about bristleworms, how do they reproduce when tanks are overfed ? Do they lay eggs? Have babies?

 

[BristleWormHater]

hey y'all i just started this tank yesterday and these bristle worms have found there way in my 20 gallon. should i be worried? i know some people say they're helpful but i've also heard horror stories, any help is appreciated. thanks!

Just pretend they look like this that is my coping mechanism