bristle worms

[Darth]

I know this has been discussed a thousand times, but I have recently noticed at least 8-10 bristleworms in my 29 gal tank, some are really small, one is I would say bout 3" long, I know not to touch them, but one is living in a rock with my zoO'S is he gonna kill them or should I just be happy for the free clean-up?

[Vallely4]

...I was bout to pose the exact question in another thread of bristleworms already going
I noticed the other night 6-7 all in view at the same time, small ranging the same size as Darth'. Imagine how many I can't see . So far myself I haven't noticed them do anything ill natured, just seem to scrounge about on live rock, and I did watch one participate in cleaning up a snail carcass with a couple hermits the other night... so I believe there just scavengers good to have
http://ovas.ca/index.php?topic=25129.0    <<<these guys

Anyone say otherwise? ...think they're good part of a cleanup crew right?

[nelson]

I struggled with my seemingly out of control population of bristle worms.  I REALLY find them disgusting and have argued about their usefullness in my tank.  After much dialogue and opinions from well established and knowledgeable aquarists, I've come to recognize that they do perform a useful purpose in my tank.  Now, what I also learned is that their abundance is proportional to the food that is available for them.  If you overfeed, you'll have an over population and unnecessary growth in their individual size.  I've substantially reduced my feeding regime for other reasons and have noticed that the Bristleworm population has diminished substantially.  

Hope this helps.

[AdamN]

Just make sure the one living in your zoa colony is not a fireworm and you will be fine. Bristle worms are harmless, but fireworms will eat your zoas. I had one living in a good size zoa colony, i ended up having to chop the colony in half and chuck it to make sure I got him as he ate about 1/4 of it.

[Vallely4]

Whoooooa,  i'd love to have one of these bristleworms in my tank   Somehow stumbled across this randomly...
http://www.lareefs.com/index.php?main_page=page&id=1&chapter=0
(Check out the video halfway down this page!))

Who needs moonlights?  ....pop a few of these suckers in your tank

[Darth]

how can I tell the difference between fire worms and bristle? I am definately gonna cut back on feedings, it's a shame cause it helps some things, yet makes bristleworms grow =(

[Faerin]

how can I tell the difference between fire worms and bristle? I am definately gonna cut back on feedings, it's a shame cause it helps some things, yet makes bristleworms grow =(

Bad Fire Worm: http://www.seasky.org/stuff/assets/wallpaper_sea/Fireworm_1280.jpg
Good Bristle Worm: http://www.reefs.org/hhfaq/worms/faq_bristle.jpg/variant/medium

[Vallely4]

What is it you folks cut back on feeding exactly, anything specific?

[Darth]

okay i definately dont have fireworms, i cut back on feeding fish and corals

[AdamN]

don't rule out fireworms from that image above, that is only one of many types, and mine looked nothing like that. In fact, mine looked identicle to a bristleworm with the exception of its color. It was orange.

[shutterbuggy]

Yeah, fireworms (being that there is so many varieties of them), are quite common in aquaria.  I know that I have at least 3 that are 6 inches or more in my tank!  All but one species are considered harmless and they are great scavengers.