Are bristleworms killing new tank additions? . . . If not, than what?

Question

In a 30 gal. reef tank w/ numerous corals (mostly soft and LPS) and clams, lived a 2 in. maroon clownfish, a lawnmower blenny, and a yellow tang. Over the last few months I've tried to add 4 new dwarf angels (flame or potters). All 4 seemed happy and un-stressed all day until the lights went out. The next day they were either floating or being consumed by numerous bristleworms. I tried removing the clown, then the tang, and still no luck! Could these bristleworms (some up to 6 in. long) attack and kill new additions but ignore acclimated inhabitants? Should I try adding a lined wrasse and see what happens? If not than what?

Answer 1

It's possible but unlikely. Did they like to spend the night at a particular area where there might have been a contaminated rock? Did you add the dwarf angels at the same time? It would be far too many fish for a tank of your size.
I've had a great deal of success with bristle worm traps, another way to capture large ones is to place a rock with a hollow on the bottom side onto the sand in the evening. A piece of shrimp or similar can be placed into the hollow to act as bait. The next day the rock can be removed and the worms will come out with the rock, or they can be captured using a net or tweezers and disposed of. I wouldn't suggest adding a wrasse as they probably won't bother to go after something that large.

Answer 2

Bristle worms cause a lot of havoc on your system. When they get too big they will start eating small animals in the reef such as corals and aneomes. It is quite possible that they attacked the dwarf angel while the fish is sleeping close to the rocks. Traps for bristle worms are hit and miss. Sometimes they work and sometimes not. The best way is to identify the culprit and which rock it hides in during nite with red light and remove the live rock all together. If you leave the rock out without water most times the bristle worm will climb out the rock and you can remove them with tweezer at that time.

Answer 3

There are Bristle worm traps that you can use to remove them. I know Petco sells them. They are inexpensive. Bristleworms can come in on live rock. If you have an extra take, I would suggest you putting the live rock in there with a Bristleworm trap for awhile under quarinteen before adding them to your main tank

Answer 4

Bristleworms will eat smaller fish, if the opportunity presents itself, but not all bristleworm species are cause for concern -- usually they will clean up dying or dead fish, and are more an indication of something else than the likely culprit. Maybe a dottyback would help control them; not sure about a 6line, but I suspect that your problems won't necessarily be over.

Answer 5

opposite direction around. The coral banded is a trojan horse killing device! The worms are in general threat free. With the shrimp for inhabitants administration, you need to have not got any concerns. The small style of worms that stay to tell the story are extra advantageous than no longer!

Answer 6

Check out this site.It has a gud info about bristle worms

http://www.netpets.org/fish/reference/reefref/bristle.html

Answer 7

yes thy can do not put theme in a thank whife any fish

Answer 8

i don't know sry

Answer 9

i don't i am sorry!!