I keep finding bristle worms in my tank. The biggest was only the size of a grain of rice so far but I want to control the problem ASAP. Is there an invert of some sort that would eat them? Whenever I think there gone I find new ones a while later.
What inverts eat bristle worms?
- Thread starter Aboynamedsous2
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The banded coral shrimps eat them - If there isn’t so many then just leave them, they are excellent CUC members. A lot of people get rid of them/Control them sooner because they’re seen as unwanted but really you want them for things like detritus
I wasn’t gonna worry but they seem attracted to my caulestrea colony I keep find them stuck on polyps. I’m afraid they might wanna eat it even though it’s perfectly healthy.
I have no first hand knowledge on if these work but here is one claiming to:
seahorsesavvy.com
Olive Snail-Known for Eating Bristleworms
Olive Snail-Known for eating Bristleworms! Size: ~1.5-2 inches These hardy snails are great for eating leftover meaty food such as Mysis shrimp in the aquarium. They are also one invertebrate for saltwater aquariums known for eating bristleworms! These snails also eat detritus and decaying...
seahorsesavvy.com
Yeah, they do but they also become risky to ~3” fish
I usually wont recommend both arrow crabs nor the banded coral shrimp , i know that you wanted an invert but I would recommend some sort of wrasse like :
- yellow Coris Wrasse
- Melanurus Wrasse
- Six Line wrasse (could be aggressive)
My tiger pistol shrimp ate them in my tank. I’m sure they are still in there, but I miss seeing them tbh.
I tried a coral branded shrimp and didn’t have much luck 3 years ago. People also suggest arrow crabs but again no luck for me with that. I ended up upgrading tanks. Got new LR and let my other LR sit for months still submerged but didn’t feed tank or have a heater or light. I still have some bristle worms but been able to keep population low.(I think) They are a great CUC addition to have. My opinion has changed about them. It really depends on the species of bristle worm you’re dealing with.
Size of a grain of rice?!? Nothing to worry about. You aren’t seeing like 30+ in one area are ya?
I would also like to add in a larger tank the Jade wrasse. I have a 4” one in a 4’ tank yes they can be boisterous as far as wrasse they are not even close to sixline aggression. Now that fish have been added into the picture:
- Jade wrasse,
- Yellow coris wrasse (not my favourite wrasse available but it will do)
- Sixline alternative = Pinstripe wrasse,
- Radiant wrasse (These are iffy, along with all other wrasse)
- This is a wrasse that isn’t actually known or even supposed to be a worm eater however mine has been the odd one out (Macropharyngodon bipartitus)
I saw a ball anemone in my tank eat a bristle worm 2 nights ago but not sure you want to introduce ball anemones to your tank
Bad pics
Pic 1&2 Ball anemone eating bristle worm
3rd pic ball anemone
Most fish that will eat bristle worms adds possiblity other ornamentals in tank will become a tasty snack. That’s why I’m real cautious because I have a bunch of sexy shrimp, Pom Pom crabs , anemone shrimp, bumble bee shrimps , and other cool small invertebrates.
Wait, that’s a ball nem? I got told my questionable animal in a cave was an NPS corallimorph. It looks VERY similar to that.
Snails are fine the sexy would be a concern if all else fails bristle worm traps. If se xy get traped you can always release
Ball anemones are a Coralimorph , to me they can become problematic. They eat snails and obviously bristle worms. They keep snails from certain areas of LR and always have empty shells next to them. I just added a Aiptasia eating filefish to see if he will eat them
NPS?
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