bristle worms and coral

[bkvreef]

I have recently set up a frag tank without any sand.

While feeding the tank yesterday I noticed several bristle worms crawling out from under the frags (they were in the rocks).

should I be concerned?
If your answer is yes, can you give me an idea about how to get them out.  A fersh water dip?  Would that hurt the frags?

[Aquatic Specialists]

Marine Melafix, an all natural product, dipping will work great and will not harm your frags either! I use it to dip all the corals and it knocks any pest or parasitic organism off of them. Follow the directions and you will have good results. I just fill up a bucket with fresh salt water (3 gallons), making sure all the parameters are the same of course, 2 capfulls per gal. of water, let sit for four minutes and shake vigorously for the last minute, for a total of five minutes. You will be surprised what all falls off of them. This is a good practice before you add any new coral to your tank, no matter where/who you got it from. Good luck

Justin

[larrynews]

i would say you need not be concerned, there are some that eat corals but i have never known anyone to have the true fire worms, now that i have said that 100 people will have had them, bristle worms are great scavengers they will reproduce fast if there is a lot of extra food in your tank. hth

[bkvreef]

thanks larry!

Justin, is there a difference between Melafix and Marine Melafix.  The Melafix I have says fine for marine fish?

[Reefd Up]

Bristleworms are scavengers.  Other than the occasional bristle in your arm, you shouldn't be worried.  I have had one eunicid worm in my tank (but he was very tiny...growing very fast though!)...but yeah, if they're true bristleworms, don't worry. 

Duane and Justin make a good point.  It's always a good idea to dip corals before putting them into your tank just to see what could be on the coral.  I use a Lugol's iodine dip for 15 minutes.  Usually flatworms, starfish, copepods, bristleworms, etc. will fall off.  I always treat for flatworms too, but the Lugol's dip gives me an indicator if I need to treat for other pests (such as AEFW). 

[Aquatic Specialists]

Yes there is a difference between marine and the regular. The Marine is super concentrated with 1.25% Melaleuca and the regular melafix is concentrated with 1.0% Melaleuca. Which doesn't seem like much, but it is. Melaleuca is extracted from tea trees, so it is a safe all natural way to rid your tank of most unwatned pests. It is amazing to see just how many things come off, almost instantly.

Justin

[bkvreef]

Well I have the regular and to be honest I'd rather not go out and buy another amount can I just add a little more to the solution?

[Aquatic Specialists]

I would say it's not a good idea to go against the manufacturers directions, that would be a choice you have to make. If it was me I would not. If you ever add anything new to the tank it wouldn't be a bad thing to have around. The regular melafix does not have coral dipping instructions on it, where the marine melafix does. The regular melafix is reef safe, but may not be strong enough to remove what you want it to.

[lazylivin]

Another way to control bristle worms if you are concerned about them is a coral banded shrimp. They love eating them.

[micki]

Another way to control bristle worms if you are concerned about them is a coral banded shrimp. They love eating them.

And othere tank mates too!    At least mine did...

[its fry]

In my experiece, bristle worms have done damage.
It you happen to own any corals that slow eaters, or need to be 'patiently spot fed'
a large and quick bristle worm can mean a slow theiving death.

pick them out with tweasers whenever you can.
there are much better options for CUC.