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Kyle Katarn 
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 Topic: Bristleworms- Good, bad, or ugly?
Posted: April 05 2004 at 9:15pm |
Hi-
Ok, just how much does one need to worry about these critters, and are some worse than others, and if so, how do you tell the difference? Are the small ones ok (1" or smaller)? I saw one in a piece of rock earlier, and I am wondering if I need to try to get it out, or if I should leave it and consider it part of the ecosystem. If I do need to get rid of it, how do I do it? Will harsh language do, or shall I just nuke it from orbit?  I have heard that some are good, and some are bad, but how on earth do you know which is which?
Amy
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Ryan Willden
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Posted: April 05 2004 at 9:20pm |
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I wouldn't bother. Even if you tried, you probably wouldn't be able to
get him. They're sneaky little guys.
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Carl
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Posted: April 05 2004 at 9:21pm |
Amy, they make traps for them that are pretty effective if need be. BUT, bristle worms are the flies of the marine world. They can be pesky and not very attractive. however, the role that they play in breaking down and consuming detritus, dead or almost dead inhabitants, etc is crucial to your ecosystem. They do not attack healthy fish like some believe. In my opinion, if a fish cannot outswim a worm it deserves to get eaten!  I wish I had more bristle worms sometimes!
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In Syracuse
"I believe that forgiving them is God's function. Our job is simply to arrange the meeting." - Gen. H. Norman Schwarzkopf
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Adam Blundell
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Posted: April 05 2004 at 9:22pm |
They are all good. Just sit back and enjoy them.
Adam
(I know someone will disagree, but I don't know who)
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Come to a meeting, they’re fun!
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Kyle Katarn
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Posted: April 05 2004 at 9:31pm |
Drat. I was looking forward to a good bug hunt. I guess I'll have to put the pulse cannon away.
Amy
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Kyle Katarn
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Posted: April 05 2004 at 9:32pm |
Oh, and thanks! Now I won't have a heart attack over the little bounder. Or his relatives, which I am sure he has.
A
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chrisslc
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Posted: April 06 2004 at 6:36am |
If you've seen one you likely have hundreds. And, speaking as someone who mistakenly tried to eradicate them when I first saw them, you never will. good thing they're largely beneficial or we'd all likely be screwed  !
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Murray, Utah just north of the park.
"It's all the same to the clam" -Shel Silverstein
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Mark Peterson
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Posted: April 06 2004 at 6:13pm |
 Adam Blundell wrote:
They are all good....
(I know someone will disagree, but I don't know who) |
Okay I'll take that position. Once in a blue moon we hear of one of these that is "bad" to coral, but here is a quote:
"Fireworms have an undeserved bad reputation among aquarists as animals that eat corals and soft corals.
In reef aquaria there are two families likely to be found. The first are the fireworms in the family Amphinomidae. These are really the bristleworm's bristle worm. They have large and evident tufts of setae extending along the upper sides of the body. They have acquired their common name of "fireworm" from the effects of the setae on humans. The setae are sharp, hollow, venom-filled and fragile. Contact with the worm results in the setae piercing skin, breaking and introducing their venom into the wound. It hurts_
Additionally, some people may become allergic to the venom and this could present serious consequences if the worms are contacted. If you feel the need to handle these worms, use a pair of forceps or tweezers."
This is why they have a bad reputation.
If you ever find the extremely rare one eating coral, there is an easy way to catch it involving a wad of bridal veil material and a length of fishing line. I can tell you how to use it, if needed.
Another type of worm is bald! It has no bristles. Here is my favorite bald worm in my favorite reef aquarium. It's about two feet long in a 180 gal. And it has siblings too!
Edited by Mark Peterson
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Kyle Katarn
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Posted: April 06 2004 at 7:13pm |
Yikes. It wouldn't suprise me if at some point there is an episode of Fear Factor involving bristleworms. Those things make giant slugs look cute & fuzy. But it sounds like they're not bad, they're just drawn that way, so I will declare a truce and let them stay. Thanks for all the opinions!
Amy
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