Bristle Worms vs Feather Dusters

ChrisKil · 08/06/2007, 03:01 PM

I have been reading a bunch of articles talking about how bad bristle worms are for your tank. How they damage corals, anemones, and even fish. The pictures used in some of these articles look just like the feather dusters sold at online retailers and proudly displayed in many marine tanks.

I have some hitchhikers that look like the photo on the right (B coming out of C). The photo on the right is from an article lamenting the scourge of bristle worms. The photo on the left from the gallery of a proud tank owner.

Are they different? Good? Bad?

Randall_James · 08/06/2007, 03:04 PM

there are only a couple types of bristleworms that are in fact harmful (pretty rare actually) and the feather duster you are looking at is a simple filter feeder and harmless. You will not find that particular type for sale (unless they are hitchikers). Larger types like the Hawaiian are commonly sold are are pretty hardy in slightly larger tanks (IMO 30G+)

I would consider the bristleworm a good guy myself. They are a good part of the cleanup crew for the sandbed and rock.

WaterKeeper · 08/06/2007, 03:12 PM

I agree Randall, by far most bristle worms are good rather than bad for the tank and, if you do get some bad ones, they can be trapped using some wadded up pantyhose baited with some shrimp.

Randall_James · 08/06/2007, 03:18 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by WaterKeeper
I agree Randall, by far most bristle worms are good rather than bad for the tank and, if you do get some bad ones, they can be trapped using some wadded up pantyhose baited with some shrimp.

figures....

you know how hard it is to find pantyhose in my size?

reefworm · 08/06/2007, 03:20 PM

RJ is correct, with rare exceptions, bristleworms are good guys - a valued part of your cleanup crew. the bad rap they get for "attacking" polyps and clam mantles is generally due to the fact that they are the first to detect dead and/or dying tissue, which they dispose of. Since they're on the polyp/mantle, and THEN we see the dying tissue we assume they are the reason the animals are dying.

Here's a few links with good reading to get your research started:
http://www.reefs.org/library/article/r_toonen12.html

http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2003-03/rs/index.php

http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/2002-03/rs/index.php

http://www2.hawaii.edu/~toonen/files...lewormFAQ.html

http://www.reefland.com/rho/0305/medprod3.php

08/06/2007, 03:01 PM	#1
ChrisKil Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Ruston, LA Posts: 152	Bristle Worms vs Feather Dusters I have been reading a bunch of articles talking about how bad bristle worms are for your tank. How they damage corals, anemones, and even fish. The pictures used in some of these articles look just like the feather dusters sold at online retailers and proudly displayed in many marine tanks. I have some hitchhikers that look like the photo on the right (B coming out of C). The photo on the right is from an article lamenting the scourge of bristle worms. The photo on the left from the gallery of a proud tank owner. Are they different? Good? Bad? __________________ Give a man a fish, feed him for a day. Show a man a reef tank, bankrupt him for life. Current Tank Info: 125g mixed reef w/ 30g sump

08/06/2007, 03:04 PM	#2
Randall_James Premium Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Posts: 6,727	there are only a couple types of bristleworms that are in fact harmful (pretty rare actually) and the feather duster you are looking at is a simple filter feeder and harmless. You will not find that particular type for sale (unless they are hitchikers). Larger types like the Hawaiian are commonly sold are are pretty hardy in slightly larger tanks (IMO 30G+) I would consider the bristleworm a good guy myself. They are a good part of the cleanup crew for the sandbed and rock. __________________ "It's a dog eat dog world and I feel like I am wearing milkbone underwear"

08/06/2007, 03:12 PM	#3
WaterKeeper Bogus Information Expert Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: SW Ohio Posts: 16,147	I agree Randall, by far most bristle worms are good rather than bad for the tank and, if you do get some bad ones, they can be trapped using some wadded up pantyhose baited with some shrimp. __________________ "Leading the information hungry reefer down the road to starvation" Tom Current Tank Info: 130 Now out of service and a 29

08/06/2007, 03:20 PM	#5
reefworm Registered Member Join Date: May 2000 Location: Waxhaw, NC USA Posts: 2,139	RJ is correct, with rare exceptions, bristleworms are good guys - a valued part of your cleanup crew. the bad rap they get for "attacking" polyps and clam mantles is generally due to the fact that they are the first to detect dead and/or dying tissue, which they dispose of. Since they're on the polyp/mantle, and THEN we see the dying tissue we assume they are the reason the animals are dying. Here's a few links with good reading to get your research started: http://www.reefs.org/library/article/r_toonen12.html http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2003-03/rs/index.php http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/2002-03/rs/index.php http://www2.hawaii.edu/~toonen/files...lewormFAQ.html http://www.reefland.com/rho/0305/medprod3.php __________________ "The best argument against democracy is a five-minute conversation with the average voter." - Thomas Jefferson Current Tank Info: 29 gal. reef/assist with 75 gal. at the school