[hippienlincoln]

We have 4 tanks- our 55 gal has been est. for almost a year- (it came from our original 29 est. in 11/05)- we just added a 3 1/2 in. tridacnid maxima- and it seems to be flourishing- we also have a colony of zoanthids that we have had for nearly the entire life of our system, and we have witnessed the progression, as well as the severe digression of this particular colony within that time frame. Now, we are seeing some sort of "disruption amongst the ranks"- as far as distinct little empty spots, where there used to be a nice, uniform coverage- and it is profoundly more obvious under the lunar lights- My husband is concerned about the clam and it's well being with the worms, as it is on the sand bed- We have looked into dottybacks, but we have a 13 in. snowflake eel that we are concerned might not make an acceptable tankmate;however, I have looked into the Pseudocheilinus hexataenia- six lined wrasse- and really would love some educated feedback on any of the above-mentioned topics- Thanks-

[Reefland]

Hi hippienlincoln,


Bristleworms are only a threat to things that are already dead. They are detritivores that will scavenge on waste, decaying matter (including dead fish, etc.) but will not bother living fish, corals or clams. I don't think you have to worry about your bristleworms...unless you touch one.

[Ninong]

Most bristleworms are harmless. There are exceptions but unless you can actually see the bristleworms that you think are causing a problem in the act (and describe them), then I wouldn't be worried. On the other hand, if you have seen them, then try describing them and we'll take it from there.

The problem with trying to give you an answer is that there are 8,000 different species that are all called bristleworms by many people.

As far as fish eating bristleworms, most will not but dottybacks from the Red Sea do eat them. Pseudochromis fridmani (Orchid Dottyback) is one of the three Red Sea species that will eat bristleworms, even really big ones. However, they don't eliminate them completely.