Bristle Worms

[lefkonj]

What are peoples take on these critters? Are they bad or not? I read conflicting reports on line. I already have an arrow crab in my tank, and everyone says they will eat them. But I have only seen a single one so far and it hasn't moved.

Thoughts would be greatly appreciated.

 

[9supratt4]

I have them in my tank and they have never done any harm.

IMO, they are a free clean up crew. They will eat detritus and left over food.

They are nocturnal, so you will only see them at night.

 

[shipwrecked]

I have some in my tank and they are good as scavengers eating any uneaten food that goes under rocks etc.Now there is certain ones you dont want in yr tank..I think the ones called fireworms are the not so good ones to have.best thing to do is to identify the ones you have and do a search on it and go from there.There are certain fish that will eat them and help keep them in check if you do decide to go that way.

 

[lefkonj]

Thanks guys that is what I have been hearing. I will most likely add a banded coral schrimp as another possible scavenger of these guys in case they get out of hand.

 

[magic]

What are peoples take on these critters? Are they bad or not? I read conflicting reports on line. I already have an arrow crab in my tank, and everyone says they will eat them. But I have only seen a single one so far and it hasn't moved.

Thoughts would be greatly appreciated.

Your arrow crab will get rid of the bristleworms along with any other small invertebrates! I hope your lfs told you that.

Bob

 

[NikkiT]

I have bristle worms in my tanks. The only tank where I routinely attempt to remove them is in my 12g nano- and that is because they can go after very small fish or inverts. In anything other than a small nano, I would not be concerned at all.
I agree with bob that arrow crabs can be predatory, they will go after anything they can catch.

 

[lefkonj]

I have heard the mixed bag regarding the arrow crabs but my tank at 180 gallons seems to fit it nicely. I have a mix of small reef safe triggers, clowns, hermits, snails, and a few LPS style corals.