brittle worms

[tonyponty]

hi i have noticed a few worms coming out of rocks orange brittle wormsi think are these safe or do i have to try getting rid of them and if so whats the best method to use :roll:

[Tangman]

Hi Dont worry about them they wont do any harm, in fact they do good cleaning up any uneaten food etc. The will sting you if you touch them and they do hurt. HTH. Eric :-D

[tonyponty]

hahaah cheers for that eric was thinking of catching one think i will give that a miss

[Macca]

yep if they are small then they are a valuable member of the clean up crew!

James

[Reefer]

Good for cleanup crew but can become a pest if left unchecked and allowed to breed excessively. Orchid Dottybacks are good predators of small worms keeping populations under control.

[tonyponty]

well i have noticed some little ones under a shell so think they must be breeding lol dottyback sounds like one my sisters hahahahha

[Dons1903]

They can do a good job cleaning up when the lights go out, but watch they don't get too large as they can get nasty :shock:

[Tangman]

I once stripped a tank down many years ago for a friend of mine and we pulled out about 20 large worms somewere upto 6 feet in length. When they get that size you want rid. Eric

[newkidfish]

I've heard big ones can munch on sleeping fish, is this true?

[flying Jock]

Hi

I would agree with the guys!

They are a great scavenger and i have loads in my refugums and a good few in the reefs.

Had a friend that had a 7ft worm that grabbed his arm and pulled him right in :shock:

Never seen him since!!! :lol: :lol:

FJ

[tonyponty]

so whats the best way to get rid of some of the bigger ones

[Reefer]

Try something called Trapest by Aqua Medic I have also seen something in an old marine world I will have to dig it out I think it uses a milk bottle and an old baby bottle teet with the end cut off, it is then put in the bottle backwards and the trap is baited with cockle or prawn, the worm can climb in but not out.

[tonyponty]

hi thx will bear that in mind will have to nick 1 of grand daughters bottle

[Chris, Reef Ranch]

The majority of bristle worms are unlikely to cause harm to your livestock. I have heard of nightmare scenarios where large ones have eaten clams.

The fireworm Hermodice caranculata carries a bacterium that causes coral disease in Acropora. The bacterium is only able to infect the coral above 24oC.

Chris, Reef Ranch

[tonyponty]

mmmmmmmm how do you tell the diffrence between these to worms

[liquidlogic]

i love bristleworms, i hope i get loads with my LR 8-)

[Dons1903]

i love bristleworms

Takes all sorts I suppose! :wink: :-D :wink:

[tonyponty]

nice to know some one does lol

[liquidlogic]

rofl mate, good scavengers but scary when big :?