Got a hitchhiker

[Mattyice008]

So this little guy has to be from the live rock that I put in my new tank.
It's a 30gal which will be home to a peacock mantis shrimp.
So far I've only seen 2 under the same rock, and they come out to eat the little red fish pebbles about 5 minutes after I put them in. Some sort of worm centipede thing,
anyway, look at the pics and lmk

 

[bjohanson1234]

Bristle worm. A good part of the clean up crew. You probably have way more than those two.

 

[Mattyice008]

Bristle worm. A good part of the clean up crew. You probably have way more than those two.

Ok, so no need to try and get rid of them?

 

[bjohanson1234]

Not unless you can't stand the look of them

 

[Smitty]

+1 Bj...they're beneficial to your tank.

 

[RockStacker]

Bristleworms get a bad rap because of their cousins the fireworms.
Once in a blue moon the giant bristleworm variety ends up via live rock into someone's tank. But it would have to have been HUGE live rock for it to happen without the reefer knowing about it.

Bristleworms are nice to have in your tank because:
1. They can venture deeper into nooks and crannies that crustaceans and snails cannot.
2. They stir up the sand bed/rubble while digging for detritus.
3. They hide mostly during the daytime so you don't get spooked if you are not into worms.

If you have too many bristleworms, you do not have a bristleworm problem... you have an overfeeding problem :)

 

[Bifferwine]

If you have too many bristleworms, you do not have a bristleworm problem... you have an overfeeding problem :)

This. They can only get out of control if you let them. They are good cleaners for your tank. I have had them a foot long in my tank. That's when things get gross and I get creeped out by them and want them out!

 

[Kelz88]

I shuddered when you said a foot long lol, i had one in my tank thats was only like 3 and i was freaking out ugh. I tried to get him out but couldnt bring myself to get close to him lol. Im a scardy cat, i know

 

[bjohanson1234]

You can place some food in a piece of nylons. The bristle worms will get stuck trying to get to the food. Then remove the nylons, wash them and put them back in the wife's drawer before she notices:mrgreen:

 

[Waddi]

+1 Everyone.
Just don't touch em, I had a huge blister with puss and all. It was nasty, and it hurt! haha

 

[Alex]

+1 Everyone.
Just don't touch em, I had a huge blister with puss and all. It was nasty, and it hurt! haha

Just when I was getting over my anxiety of putting my hands in my tank. >.<

 

[RockStacker]

Just when I was getting over my anxiety of putting my hands in my tank. >.<

Different people react differently to bristleworm "stings". Just like insect bites I guess.
Some people seem to be completely unaffected even when handling them with bare hands, and some people get serious blisters and welts.

I wear gloves whenever I put my hands in the tank, just as a precaution.

And oh, the 1 foot bristleworms make for some nice fish bait when the guys go fishing at the pier :)

 

[Alex]

Different people react differently to bristleworm "stings". Just like insect bites I guess.
Some people seem to be completely unaffected even when handling them with bare hands, and some people get serious blisters and welts.

I wear gloves whenever I put my hands in the tank, just as a precaution.

That's really interesting to know. :)
Do they produce a type of venom? And how exactly do they bite, or sting?

 

[Bifferwine]

I don't believe they are venomous, it's just irritation from their little hairs. The fibers get lodged in your skin, kinda like insulation.