Like moths to a light....? - Aquarium Advice

Pghjeff71 · 06-12-2005, 09:34 PM

Hi, so at night when the lights go off and the moonlights are running there are these tiny worms, probably no less than an 1/2 inch in size, that rise to the top of the surface where the moonlights are most direct. The reach the surface, curl up and fall back down to the substrate and then repeat the whole process. Many are sucked into the overflow, but there must be several dozen of these worms at any given time. Any thoughts?

**Fluff** · 06-12-2005, 09:47 PM

My first thought would be bristleworm babies.

Pghjeff71 · 06-12-2005, 09:55 PM

Hi Fluff, thanks for your quick response! In the past I would have been freaked out the thought of bristleworms in the aquarium but I guess it's not so bad? I have my sixline wrasse to keep them in check...I hope

Is there anything to be concerned about? I'm amazed at how many of them get sucked into the sump. There's nothing to keep them "in check" there though...

- Jeff

Hara · 06-12-2005, 09:59 PM

bristleworms are very beneficial to your tank. They tend to get a bad rep but I have never had problems with them. They make a great addition to my tanks janitorial system... Yes, there are some that are evil, but most are not...

**Fluff** · 06-12-2005, 10:04 PM

Nah, I wouldn't worry. Bristleworms are beneficial and I'm sure your wrasse will enjoy the snack. I wouldn't be concerned at all. If for some reason they do get to plague proportions, there are ways of cutting the numbers, but like all the other scavengers ([acronym:12b0713bda="copepods, amphipods, etc"]pods[/acronym:12b0713bda], worms, etc), the food source will help dictate that.

**Fluff** · 06-12-2005, 10:05 PM

Hara beat me to it.

06-13-2005, 11:25 AM

Google the word epitoke.

Cheers
Steve

**Fluff** · 06-13-2005, 01:21 PM

I did a search of epitoke and found this site.

http://www.reefs.org/library/article/r_toonen12.html

Pghjeff71 · 06-14-2005, 07:18 AM

Steve and Cindy,

All I can is say is....

Great info and exactly what I think these things are now. Thanks much!

06-12-2005, 09:34 PM	#1
Pghjeff71 Aquarium Advice Regular Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Pittsburgh PA Posts: 64 Images: 3	Like moths to a light....? Hi, so at night when the lights go off and the moonlights are running there are these tiny worms, probably no less than an 1/2 inch in size, that rise to the top of the surface where the moonlights are most direct. The reach the surface, curl up and fall back down to the substrate and then repeat the whole process. Many are sucked into the overflow, but there must be several dozen of these worms at any given time. Any thoughts?

06-12-2005, 09:47 PM	#2
Fluff The Keeper Community Moderator Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: West Virginia Posts: 10,111 Images: 29	My first thought would be bristleworm babies. __________________ ~Cindy

06-12-2005, 09:59 PM	#4
Hara Aquarium Advice Addict Moderator Emeritus Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Louisiana Posts: 6,867 Images: 33	bristleworms are very beneficial to your tank. They tend to get a bad rep but I have never had problems with them. They make a great addition to my tanks janitorial system... Yes, there are some that are evil, but most are not... __________________ ~~~~~Hara~~~~~~ View My Tanks Visit FantasyReef.com's Databases!

06-12-2005, 10:04 PM	#5
Fluff The Keeper Community Moderator Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: West Virginia Posts: 10,111 Images: 29	Nah, I wouldn't worry. Bristleworms are beneficial and I'm sure your wrasse will enjoy the snack. I wouldn't be concerned at all. If for some reason they do get to plague proportions, there are ways of cutting the numbers, but like all the other scavengers ([acronym:12b0713bda="copepods, amphipods, etc"]pods[/acronym:12b0713bda], worms, etc), the food source will help dictate that. __________________ ~Cindy

06-12-2005, 10:05 PM	#6
Fluff The Keeper Community Moderator Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: West Virginia Posts: 10,111 Images: 29	Hara beat me to it. __________________ ~Cindy

06-12-2005, 09:55 PM	#3
Pghjeff71 Aquarium Advice Regular Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Pittsburgh PA Posts: 64 Images: 3	Hi Fluff, thanks for your quick response! In the past I would have been freaked out the thought of bristleworms in the aquarium but I guess it's not so bad? I have my sixline wrasse to keep them in check...I hope Is there anything to be concerned about? I'm amazed at how many of them get sucked into the sump. There's nothing to keep them "in check" there though... - Jeff

06-13-2005, 11:25 AM	#7
steve-s Guest Posts: n/a	Google the word epitoke. Cheers Steve

06-13-2005, 01:21 PM	#8
Fluff The Keeper Community Moderator Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: West Virginia Posts: 10,111 Images: 29	I did a search of epitoke and found this site. http://www.reefs.org/library/article/r_toonen12.html __________________ ~Cindy

06-14-2005, 07:18 AM	#9
Pghjeff71 Aquarium Advice Regular Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Pittsburgh PA Posts: 64 Images: 3	Steve and Cindy, All I can is say is.... Great info and exactly what I think these things are now. Thanks much! __________________ Tank: 90 Gal w/ 10 Gal [acronym:dadaa0f301="Do it yourself"]DIY[/acronym:dadaa0f301] fuge, 100+ lbs [acronym:dadaa0f301="Live rock"]LR[/acronym:dadaa0f301], 4+ inch sandbed. Fish:yellow tang, hippo tang, heni butterfly, hermits and snails. Misc: 4x65 watt [acronym:dadaa0f301="Power compact fluorescent"]PC[/acronym:dadaa0f301] lighting, seaclone skimmer, 3 powerheads, [acronym:dadaa0f301="Ultra Violet"]uv[/acronym:dadaa0f301] sterilizer.

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