Need Help Fast!

[Cathic]

Found one of these while cleaning my liverock, I've come to discover at least 3 more burried in sand and rock, what are they and are they harmful. If so how can I get rid of them! Please help! Thank you in advance.

 

[ccCapt]

They are bristleworms. Good scavangers/clean up crew.

 

[Cathic]

So non harmful and good? I have read that they multiply and can sting/eat corals? Do I have something to be worried about or are these good bristleworms? Also should i worry about numbers? is one ok but five harmful etc.?

 

[Picasso]

Bristleworms are good guys, for the most part. I keep seahorses and they've become a problem for me. I've got gazzillions of them in my little 26 gallon and if I didn't have horses I wouldn't worry at all. They haven't bothered my corals. Here's my thread where there's a lot of discussion pro and con:

https://www.livingreefs.com/battle-bristleworms-t22258.html

Catherine

 

[yote]

Out of several thousand species of bristle worms,I think there are only one or 2 that are actually predators.They can however over populate if their food sources permit.

 

[Bifferwine]

They won't eat your fish or corals. They are some of the best cleaners you can have in your tank. I bet you have dozens or even hundreds of them, not just 5. They live in the rocks and sand and will take care of uneaten food and fish waste.

 

[dcantucson]

Don't pick them up with your hands. They can irritate your fingers for days!