What is the best method to trap brittle worms ?

[whatcaneyedo]

I have a lot more than a hundred at the moment and they've been a part of my tank's ecosystem since 2004. The only issue I've ever had with them is that I've been stung a few times which for me has been about as bad as a mosquito bite. Because of the bristle worms, mini brittle stars, stomatella snails and other varieties of smaller snail I nearly have tank that manages without a store-bought cleanup crew. In fact all I have that was store bought is a cucumber, two abalone, a limpet and an astrea in a 230gal system.

[Hawkaholic]

I agree with the feeding...cut down on how much you feed. The more you feed, the more the reproduce. I would even go as far as feeding every second day until the numbers decrease. A couple of coral banded shrimps are a good idea too. I've had them in my reef tank and didn't have problems with them.
Good luck Reef93

[Lampshade]

I never had a problem with them until this week, i found a near 1 foot long giant in my refugium. They don't eat macro algae.... so he's eating my pods! or well, the dead ones at least. I'd set up a crab trab before in my DT with just a coffee cup with a shrimp in it, ended up with a big crab... and 5-6 bristle worms. So I've just put that in the refugium, lets see what i get :S

[MKLKT]

Actually, looking at the title do you mean bristle worms or brittle stars? Because the micro brittle stars can look a lot like worms (their tiny arms will wave out of the rocks.)

[reef93]

Originally Posted by MKLKT

Actually, looking at the title do you mean bristle worms or brittle stars? Because the micro brittle stars can look a lot like worms (their tiny arms will wave out of the rocks.)

They are bristle worms, MKLKT. I have hundreds of brittle stars too but I love them.

[reef93]

Originally Posted by Hawkaholic

I agree with the feeding...cut down on how much you feed. The more you feed, the more the reproduce. I would even go as far as feeding every second day until the numbers decrease. A couple of coral banded shrimps are a good idea too. I've had them in my reef tank and didn't have problems with them.
Good luck Reef93

I know feeding is a proplem but I like to spoil my fish. They can have food 2, 3 times a day, because fish are my priority not corals. Since I followed Ken' instruction for a trap container, I have caught quite a few worms last night ... ranging from 5 inch grandparents, 3 inch parents, some kids ... to a half inch of their great great grandchildren worms ... Had been learning from my first lesson, this time I decided to have breakfast first before checking the trap. But that was a big mistake, when I opened it up and looked inside, it was almost 1/3 full of worms wiggling in there with all multicolor ... from orange, tan, gray .... to brown. I didn't dare to count how many, I just dumped the whole thing in the toilet. I almost wanted to throw up whatever I had eaten for breakfast this morning. What a terrible looking creature ! I think I had better look to get 2 coral banded shrimp to help take care of some more for me.

[RuGlu6]

Originally Posted by whatcaneyedo

I have a lot more than a hundred at the moment and they've been a part of my tank's ecosystem since 2004. The only issue I've ever had with them is that I've been stung a few times which for me has been about as bad as a mosquito bite. Because of the bristle worms, mini brittle stars, stomatella snails and other varieties of smaller snail I nearly have tank that manages without a store-bought cleanup crew. In fact all I have that was store bought is a cucumber, two abalone, a limpet and an astrea in a 230gal system.

+1 on all what you say. I employ same crew in my tank.
Comments
bristle worms = GOOD
Unice/Bobbit worms = BAD