Pest control

[MizTanks]

I'm looking for suggestions or knowledge on a reef safe natural predator of bristle worms. Thanks :)

[bluwc]

6 line Wrasse

[rcombs]

arrow crab will take care of em too

[bluwc]

Why would you put something that will nip at coral in a reef tank? They are a known terror, be careful when it comes to crabs

[rcombs]

ya i would go with the 6 line, my cousin got the arrow and it didnt bother his, but he got lucky and he feeds them shrimp so he dont bother much. 6 line is best.

[MyNemesis]

Six lines are known to be nasty reef inhabitants. A Yellow Coris Wrasse will take care of your bristle worms and many other pests in the tank, like flatworms. Very beautiful to look at and takes a giant dive into the sandbed to sleep at night and comes out in the am, which I always thought was very cool. It gets along with all other fishes, even when it gets a little bigger, which is unlikely to be the case with a six line.

[rcombs]

yellow coris is on my list to get

[MizTanks]

Six lines are known to be nasty reef inhabitants. A Yellow Coris Wrasse will take care of your bristle worms and many other pests in the tank, like flatworms. Very beautiful to look at and takes a giant dive into the sandbed to sleep at night and comes out in the am, which I always thought was very cool. It gets along with all other fishes, even when it gets a little bigger, which is unlikely to be the case with a six line.

Damn beautiful fish is that Coris Wrasse! But get's to big for my tank :( 5" my tanks a 26

[creefer]

Six lines are known to be nasty reef inhabitants. A Yellow Coris Wrasse will take care of your bristle worms and many other pests in the tank, like flatworms. Very beautiful to look at and takes a giant dive into the sandbed to sleep at night and comes out in the am, which I always thought was very cool. It gets along with all other fishes, even when it gets a little bigger, which is unlikely to be the case with a six line.

Very very true..

[Tom@HaslettMI]

My tiger pistol shrimp must have been eating them. I had bristle worms, then got the tiger pistol and did not see a worm for all of the years I had it. After it passed I started noticing them again and now a year later I have tons of them. I'm not sure if mine was an anomaly or the norm for eating bristle worms.

HTH,
Tom

[MizTanks]

My tiger pistol shrimp must have been eating them. I had bristle worms, then got the tiger pistol and did not see a worm for all of the years I had it. After it passed I started noticing them again and now a year later I have tons of them. I'm not sure if mine was an anomaly or the norm for eating bristle worms.

HTH,
Tom

Ya think I could house 2 pistol shrimps? I already have one paired with a goby.

[2FarNorth]

I wouldn't give it too much thought on what will get rid of your bristle worms, they are a very important part of your clean up crew.... Get rid of too many and other problems with the tank may surface!
They'll naturally control themselves, if there population is rising, may have to either cut back on feedings or feed smaller amounts so there's not much waste...

[Tom@HaslettMI]

Ya think I could house 2 pistol shrimps? I already have one paired with a goby.

I've heard of it being done. In fact, I think Jimsflies has 3 pistols in his 29 gallon biocube! Perhaps he'll chime in with his experience.

There is something to be said for 2far's statement. Are they really causing any problems?

Tom

[MizTanks]

My fear of them is playing a big part here guys. Yes I'm afraid of them, I'm afraid of spiders too :) what's more is how big they can/do get. I don't want a 20" worm in my tank. I'm afraid to put my hand in my tank :) the minute I put any food in there day or night they just come crawling out from everywhere. If I spot feed my LPS they'll crawl right on top of em and take the food. I actually watched a worm play tug of war with my peppermint shrimp over a piece of food!

[binford4000]

My fear of them is playing a big part here guys. Yes I'm afraid of them, I'm afraid of spiders too :) what's more is how big they can/do get. I don't want a 20" worm in my tank. I'm afraid to put my hand in my tank :) the minute I put any food in there day or night they just come crawling out from everywhere. If I spot feed my LPS they'll crawl right on top of em and take the food. I actually watched a worm play tug of war with my peppermint shrimp over a piece of food!

Best way to slow them down in my experience has been starvation.Reduced feeding and when you do feed use a nylon hose or net to suspend the food and very low No3 will slow em down along with good flow to help export detrus.Coris wrasse is a sure way also as stated.When in controled numbers they are good for the tank tho.I zapped one with Mike Z's zapper man was he un happy ( RIP ) Good luck

[Skyhigh]

I wouldn't give it too much thought on what will get rid of your bristle worms, they are a very important part of your clean up crew.... Get rid of too many and other problems with the tank may surface!
They'll naturally control themselves, if there population is rising, may have to either cut back on feedings or feed smaller amounts so there's not much waste...

+1 on you must be feeding to much!!!!

[MizTanks]

Took care of the possibly feeding too much. Down to 1x daily min amount. Frozen 1x weekly. Corals 1x bi-weekly. :)

[AgnesG]

:(:blackeye::doh:

[MizTanks]

I've taken this a step further. I'm now using a feeding station via a small jelly jar. I no longer feed the entire tank and I'm target feeding the LPS & Sun Coral. Seems to have done the trick as my worm population has been reduced 10 fold!

[binford4000]

I've taken this a step further. I'm now using a feeding station via a small jelly jar. I no longer feed the entire tank and I'm target feeding the LPS & Sun Coral. Seems to have done the trick as my worm population has been reduced 10 fold!

Good news !!!