Bristleworm or Fireworm

[fishman]

All
It was determined that I have a 1-2 inch bristleworm that is not coming out of my LR. He is red and looks like a catapiller and or centipede mixed together. I am going to leave him in there as I only have one....However he seems to really like sticking his nose and as much of his body down into a button polyp tube. I have caught him doing this 2 times and I think he has now killed the button. The first time he did this it took the polyp (or worm) to come back out. Now a few days later he was at it again and when I knocked the bristleworm off of him with a stick, it appears there is some remains of the polyp just hanging out. I dont know if the bristleworm has killed him or not....any thoughts on this?? I didnt think the bristlworm would be bad for my tank as I dont have an official reef tank....just some mushrooms and feather dusters here and there.
Thanks

 

[steve-s]

Even the desired bristleworms will "clean up" the area from a dieing or injured coral that has any necrosis. If you think it may be a predatory worm, do a google image search for "bearded fireworm". They are typically the most common hitchiker depending on where the rock came from.

Cheers
Steve

 

[fishman]

Well I did a google search and it is for sure a fireworm (ie bristleworm). I like him I just dont like the idea of him sucking on my button polyp (coral). I will wait a few days and see if the button comes back out. has anyone heard of bristleworms killing worms....

 

[steve-s]

Fireworms are carnivorous predators. They will kill and eat whatever they can catch. They aren't choosey....

Cheers
Steve