sr71pav Posted January 9, 2006 Share Posted January 9, 2006 I just saw the mother bristleworm in my tank. I saw at least 6 inches and didn't get to see the whole thing. That thing scared the heck out of me! No way am I putting ungloved hands in that tank ever again. How does it even make it in a 15G tank? I'm trying to decide whether to attempt pull it out when I get around to switching tank setups. Is it going to come try to eat me in my sleep? Link to comment
formerly icyuodd/icyoud2 Posted January 9, 2006 Share Posted January 9, 2006 my lfs is selling a bristle worm. its the size of a chocolate bar. Link to comment
natrate Posted January 10, 2006 Share Posted January 10, 2006 I had a clam die on me once. When I reached in to pull it out, a huge 5-6" bristeworm was inside eating it. Very scary! Link to comment
proraptor Posted January 10, 2006 Share Posted January 10, 2006 Bristle worms are good at eating dead things Link to comment
paul21 Posted January 10, 2006 Share Posted January 10, 2006 just get arrow crab if ur scared of it, u can watch the arrow carb break it and chew it up.. although it takes him all day Link to comment
proraptor Posted January 10, 2006 Share Posted January 10, 2006 arrow crabs arent really reef safe though....There is no reason to get rid of the bristle worm (unless it a fire worm) Link to comment
c est ma Posted January 10, 2006 Share Posted January 10, 2006 The one I posted a pic of in this thread is probably around that long--in a 5.5g. http://www.nano-reef.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=75971 --Diane Link to comment
oscar5453 Posted January 10, 2006 Share Posted January 10, 2006 SR71 , If I were you I'd buy a gun and call animal control. That thing WILL eat you at one point. Link to comment
formerly icyuodd/icyoud2 Posted January 10, 2006 Share Posted January 10, 2006 the one in the lfs looks alot like this. http://www.chopf.com/bristle1.jpg alittle smaller than the one i saw, but its still as thick as that divers finger. Link to comment
ZooGirl Posted January 10, 2006 Share Posted January 10, 2006 I have one in my pico that is huge! I'm not sure how long but it's definitely fat almost as big as my little finger. Quite pretty as far as worms go, nice bluish color with shiny hair! Link to comment
sr71pav Posted January 10, 2006 Author Share Posted January 10, 2006 My tanks really only been up since late September-early October. Amazing how much you can miss if you're not looking at the tank at just the right moment (I'll never figure out how the trochus hide so easily). This one's probably a centimeter across at the moment. Definitely have to keep it in mind that it's in there somewhere...just waiting to spring forth upon me and wreak havoc! I'm already armed, just never thought I'd be worried about marine animals attacking me! Link to comment
er1c_the_reefer Posted January 10, 2006 Share Posted January 10, 2006 biggest bristleworm i've seen was probably a fireworm about 18 inches long and 3/4 inch wide. we took it out of a coral holding tank at the lfs i work at after we saw it eatting an elegance. scary part is that it broke off, so we don't really know how long it actually was... Link to comment
Mirepa Posted January 10, 2006 Share Posted January 10, 2006 JUST DONT TOUCH THAT DAMNED THING.. man i learned my lesson the hard way... Link to comment
TimR Posted January 10, 2006 Share Posted January 10, 2006 Check out the mother of all bristle worms here http://www.oregonreef.com/sub_worm.htm. And you thought 6 inches was big..................... Link to comment
sr71pav Posted January 10, 2006 Author Share Posted January 10, 2006 I saw that thing. I know 6 inches isn't anywhere near the biggest. Just shocked I already have something of that size surviving in my tank at all. Link to comment
Saltwater Posted January 10, 2006 Share Posted January 10, 2006 Why not leave it in the tank? I consider them part of my clean up crew. It won't attack you but if you touch it you will know it........ Link to comment
sr71pav Posted January 10, 2006 Author Share Posted January 10, 2006 It might depend if the thing makes a grab at me or not! I've begun work on a new setup (15G with a 20L sump/fuge), and once that's up everything is being transferred to the new tank, this guy included, unless he decides I look like food. Link to comment
Gwoardnog Posted January 10, 2006 Share Posted January 10, 2006 Awww. it's only a little baby.... Link to comment
kahunakatz Posted January 10, 2006 Share Posted January 10, 2006 No fun. I don't care if they damage the tank or eat detritus those are nasty creatures. The worm 'probably' is reef safe but it would be best to remove it. Not to get you down, but the presence of these worms is generally a sign of excess nutrients in the substrate. Best of Luck, Barry Katz Link to comment
sr71pav Posted January 10, 2006 Author Share Posted January 10, 2006 Thus far, I haven't had any problems with die-off of anything (after my Christmas debacle, a true miracle). I'm not surprised if there's excess nutrients about, though. Link to comment
Saltwater Posted January 10, 2006 Share Posted January 10, 2006 Not to get you down, but the presence of these worms is generally a sign of excess nutrients in the substrate. Where did that come from? Why would you say that? Link to comment
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.