Do I have a bristle worm

[Rscomia]

I noticed this guy (right in front of the rock next to the glass) last night in my sump is it a bristle worm and do I need to get rid of it

 

[the_fish_man]

Yes it is a bristle and they are harmless. They will actually help you clean your tank as they are scavengers

 

[Rscomia]

How big do they get ? Also I have some critters in there that look like a shrimp about a quarter inch long I've never add anything like that is it possible that they are shrimp

 

[leftyfish]

It will probably get to 4" or so, a good cleaner. There may be mysis shrimp, probably came on rock, or big pods? I have mysis shrimp swimming around and I have no idea where they came from

 

[Rscomia]

Well I was wondering if they could be pods only thing that makes me think different is their tails curl under them

 

[leftyfish]

Could be an amphipod...

http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amphipoda

 

[Rscomia]

That is exactly what they look like thanks

 

[leftyfish]

You're welcome, no problem.

 

[austinsdad]

I seen and heard of tales of bristle worms growing a foot or more long under the right conditions.

 

[Rscomia]

I have heard these stories to YIKES!!!!

 

[David S]

bristle worms wont grow too big if their food source is kept low.

 

[Rscomia]

what is their food source?

 

[kylekody]

My local pet store owner said when bristle worms get big big more like 6+ inches it is possible for them to go after bottom dwelling fish. If you have tons of bristle worms like I use to, leave a small piece of silverside along he side of the tank and come look at like 1 or 2 am after lights are off and Itll be covered in worms. Pretty gross looking!

 

[leftyfish]

My local pet store owner said when bristle worms get big big more like 6+ inches it is possible for them to go after bottom dwelling fish. If you have tons of bristle worms like I use to, leave a small piece of silverside along he side of the tank and come look at like 1 or 2 am after lights are off and Itll be covered in worms. Pretty gross looking!

I had a two inch goby that would share the same cave with a 4+" bristle worm, no problems.

 

[Rscomia]

Im not to worried about it eating fish because its in my sump I just dont want a large worm in there though

 

[David S]

what is their food source?

Uneaten food,fish waste.They are good scavengers for a tank, but if your over run with them then your more than likely overfeeding your tank.