Invertebrates - Bristle worms Question

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Bristle worms Question

Printed From: Utah Reefs
Category: Specialized Discussion
Forum Name: Invertebrates
Forum Description: This is the place to ask questions about invertebrates.
URL: http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=2801
Printed Date: March 02 2025 at 4:24pm
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Topic: Bristle worms Question

Posted By: Kevin
Subject: Bristle worms Question
Date Posted: June 18 2004 at 12:47pm

Last night I got up and while everything was dark I was looking into my tank with a flash light. Well during this process I happened to notice a bristle worm out near one of my new sps corals. Then while watching I noticed the worm bite the coral. I know that it bit it because every pollop on the coral pulled back in each time he bit it. So the bristle worm bit the coral about 3-4 times and then retracted back into his hole.

After a few minutes the coral was out again as happy as ever. My question is, is this normal? There was nothing special about the bristle worm, just a small long centepedish worm but had barely any bristles.

One other question, does everybody else's hermit crabs play king of the hill at night? Every night my crabs climb to the highest point in my tank (wheather it be rock or a plate coral) and just sit on top of each other. I just wish they would say off the coral.

Just wondering,
thanks.

Replies:

Posted By: mdawson8931
Date Posted: June 18 2004 at 2:58pm

I havent noticed my bristle worms biting at coral but I was watching my tank last night and watched several of the worms stand up about an inch and "spit" something into the water column. Now what is that about?? Oh and Kevin, yes my crabs play king of the hill also.

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Mike
Layton, Ut.

Posted By: reptoreef
Date Posted: June 18 2004 at 3:13pm

Most of the bristleworms in the captive system are very beneficial as to being great detritus eaters and scavengers... IMO, you're safe, but can't be too careful. Watch him and the corals he frequents... should you notice any damage, then you know you are one of very few that has a "bad" bristle worm... As far as "spitting"... hmmmm... dunno??? If I were to take a stab... would be that there is some kind of spawning activities.

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www.captivereefing.com

Posted By: Jake Pehrson
Date Posted: June 18 2004 at 3:28pm

I'm not sure if he was taking bites out of your coral.

He could have been irritating the coral (hence the polyp retraction) and the coral could have been stinging him back. Maybe a small turf war.

I wouldn't worry about it.

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Jake Pehrson

Murray

http://coralplanet.com" rel="nofollow - coralplanet.com

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