Giant bristleworms

[Faciosity]

I know that regular red/orange bristleworms are great cleaners, but have heard reference before to the large ones being unwanted in a reef. Why is that? I have some amazingly large ones (some over 8" and big around as a pencil). Is there any reason to remove the big ones? I havn't noticed them doing any harm, except sometimes they steal food from the corals.

 

[returnofsid]

I sometimes remove the huge ones, only because they're "icky!!" Yes, Charlie, I said "Icky."

 

[MGDMIRAGE]

I hate bristle worms no matter the size, i've had the bristles in my fingers too many times hehe.

 

[Faciosity]

I sometimes remove the huge ones, only because they're "icky!!" Yes, Charlie, I said "Icky."

:lol::lol::lol: Well I don't mind how "icky" they are if they keep my tank clean. Just wanna make sure they aren't gonna hurt anything. I guess they could become dangerouse if you grabbed one by accident, but I've handled bristleworks many times with no ill effect. My hands are thoroughly callused from cooking.

 

[Faciosity]

I hate bristle worms no matter the size, i've had the bristles in my fingers too many times hehe.

I may have had bristle pokes on a more sensative part of my arm before, but can't say for sure, because I rubbed it on a candy cane colony, and swear that was the cause.

 

[jrgilles]

From what I've heard, they will eat what will fit into their mouths. When they are small, they are great cleaners, but if they get really big, they can start eating things you don't want them to eat.

If they are not causing damage, they are fine, but I'd keep a close eye on them.

 

[Slate]

Ben, I have had a huge one in my tank for the past year with no ill effects. I now have at least 2 if not 3 big ones and a bunch of babies. It does creep me out a bit when I move rock around but until one hurts me I think the benefits out way the creepy factor.

 

[nata]

I have lots of bristleworms also..the huge ones never did harm ,the small ones however killed my clams...getting very clever suspending themselves from rocks feeding from top..

 

[Faciosity]

I have lots of bristleworms also..the huge ones never did harm ,the small ones however killed my clams...getting very clever suspending themselves from rocks feeding from top..

That's very strange and unfortunate.

 

[NC2WA]

This reminds me of this worm incident:

http://www.oregonreef.com/sub_worm.htm

This size can eat fish and clog up pipes, etc..

 

[peddy10181]

Dude that's cool. I would let
Him live in my fish with live rock tank

 

[Faciosity]

This reminds me of this worm incident:

http://www.oregonreef.com/sub_worm.htm

This size can eat fish and clog up pipes, etc..

Wow! If these ones get any bigger, they are gone!

 

[Loke]

that is crazy. i have some big worms in my tank too but i havnt noticed any bad with them besides trying to eat the food i put in.