Fireworms?

[bigben2057]

I noticed my zoas were still not happy so i decided to break up the rock they were on and inside I found these worms which I think are fireworms. I read that they are not good for them correct?

 

[Mpfaff77]

I'm thinking bristle worms not fire. Fire worms have white bristles and many more of them.

Those worms safe to me as long as not too many of them.

 

[bigben2057]

The one was like 3- 4in long dose that make a difference its cut up in the photo.

 

[Mpfaff77]

Bristles can get much bigger than that. I have seen a few on my tank about 6 inches. Just don't over feed and it should keep population down.

They do make traps and if you catch them you can remove them.

 

[Ibrahim]

Bristles can get much bigger than that. I have seen a few on my tank about 6 inches. Just don't over feed and it should keep population down.

They do make traps and if you catch them you can remove them.

Agreed. Or you can dip your coral

 

[MacDracor]

So here's the lowdown on bristle worms. As a general rule, they are harmless, or even beneficial. The "bad" ones are extremely rare in the hobby. As Mpfaff mentioned, cutting back on feeding will reduce their numbers, as they are detritivores and scavengers.
However, they can do something that crabs and shrimp do all the time. Annoy corals. Bristle worms inside a zoa colony could, theoretically, irritate the polyps often enough to cause damage. You just removed those from the colony, so IF that was the case, problem solved!
In general though, bristle worms are good to have.

 

[bigben2057]

Ok. Thanks for the help.