Bristle worms good or bad?

[clownfish2002]

There are alot of worms on this new rock I got yeasterday and I want to know if these are bad and if so what can I do to get rid of them.

Some people told me to get the fire bristles out of there what do they look like any info. can help thanks.

The worms that are in my tank are redish and they move all around the rocks. and now in the sand. I have seen 3 so far. they are about 3/4" - 1" long.

 

[1979camaro]

3 isnt a whole heck of a lot...i think bristleworms are unavoidable...the jury is still out on whether or not they are good or bad as far as i know. Personally, i dont mind them as long as they dont get out of control. there are some fish that will eat bristles...some wrasses among other things...if you feel they will be a problem. generally i just leave them b/c they are hard to catch. if i see a big one i go for him with my tweezers. Yes, their sting is painful so don't touch them with your bareness...there is a reason they are called fireworms

 

[S.Reef]

They are beneficial in small amounts. Make sure that you maintain them or they will get out of hand.

 

[Matt Kelley]

I've never had a problem with bristle worms -- but I know people who have. If it gets out of control, they make bristle worm traps, which I've heard to work on smaller tanks.

 

[wayne]

Good. There are a few that are pretty unpleasant, though they are fairly rare. They're typically only a problem if you overfeed.

 

[dbacksrat]

bristleworms are most of the time ok because they stir the sand bed--but in numbers they can overwhelm some fish and kill them

 

[slgcmg]

i hate those things.....

 

[Anh]

the worms are good only if u keep them in control they can easly overun ur tank

 

[shyboy]

if u dont like them u can get a coral banned shrimp and it will eat them and keep them in check

 

[Fish Lips]

Like backsrat said, they keep your sand stirred up. As long as you keep them under control, and you don't play touchy/feely with them you should be O.K. They don't call them fireworms for the heck of it.