I have a 30 gallon saltwater fishtank that has 5 fish, some snails, hermit crabs, and a large piece of live rock. This tank has been set up for over a year now, but I recently noticed a rather large (2"+, couldn't see the whole worm) bristle worm or 2 peeking out of my live rock. I have also noticed a few tiny bristleworms in my substrate. The fish store told me that me that my 6-line wrasse should keep the population under control, but I'm concerned now that they seem to be multiplying. What can I do?
2006-09-17 23:16:35 · 5 answers · asked by ? 2 in Pets ➔ Fish
Well, the bristleworms entered with the live rock, and no the six-lined wrasse will not keep them under control. If it were my tank, I would probably dismantle it...remove the living rock and do a fresh water dip (for about 3 minutes), hold the animals in pails or another aquarium and flush the system with fresh water for as much as ten minutes....you will lose some of the denitrifying bacteria and algal growth. However the worms should be dead. Return water, and when the water is ready, return the inhabitants. Make sure that your protein skimmer is functioning as the protein from any dead bristle worms may jack up ammonia levels.
2006-09-17 23:30:46 · answer #1 · answered by Frank 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Your wrasse will only eat the bristle worm if they are small and he is desperate. The worms aren't a problem if they are small (in fact, they borrow through the live rock maintaining it's porous nature and therefore helpful). You can buy bristle worm traps at pet stores to keep the population in check though and I have had a lot of success with them.
A
2006-09-18 10:11:42 · answer #2 · answered by iceni 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
unless you have a fire worm most other bristle worms are good for your aquarium. but if you whant to just get rid of them cleaning your tank wont do anything. there eggs and small larvae is in your sand and everythiing. to get rid of them this way you will have to start over completly and then you will have a cycle to contend with then. other fish that ive seen that do work are large arrow crabs, triggers(may not whant this fish if you have small fish or are planning on having inverts) and some butterflyfish which most of these arent good for reef tanks longnose hawks are good at removing some as well.
2006-09-18 13:32:36 · answer #3 · answered by reptileking 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
www.saltwaterfish.com
go to message boards and learn about them. They arent always bad!!
2006-09-18 10:01:46 · answer #4 · answered by enyates2002 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
fry it
2006-09-18 06:24:47 · answer #5 · answered by shongo 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋