Bristle Worms?

[carsten]

As far as I understand it Bristle worms are reef tank worms, But today I did a "deep" cleaning of my planted tank. What I found really shocked me, dozens upon dozens of reddish/brown worms. They ranged in size from 1/2" right up to 3" in length. With the thickest being just over 1/16".

They have hundreds of small hairlike legs (almost look like a centipede) and when they swim they move in a snake like manor. They also seem to be segmented, because when I was trying to catch acouple one broke and both ends kept on going.

Has anyone ever encountered this? Will a bristle worm trap work?

Now's one of those times I wished I had a digital camera! ::) Because I have a couple of the buggers trapped in a test tube!

Here's a pick I found that looks very similar in shape to what I found.
http://www.microscopy-uk.org.uk/mag/imgmar99/brista.jpg
http://www.microscopy-uk.org.uk/mag/imgmar99/brista.jpg
http://www.microscopy-uk.org.uk/mag/imgmar99/brsta.jpg

Please Help, these things are starting to creep me out! :)

Carsten

[discus_nw]

I've never encountered anything like this one, Carsten, but it sure makes me glad I keep bare bottom tanks only for my discus. :)

[Jason]

can you preserve one in alcohol or hyde for me and mail it to me? I'm in thunder bay ON

I gotta find out what the F*!% that is!

[April]

ok thats creepy. mail it to jason. he will report back to you.
then i get to hear also.
sounds like they think your setup is just perfect for them to multiply. wonder what they eat?

maybe they came in on the roots of some of your plants, as eggs or very small worms...

[CARY_GLdiscus]

Hello There

IMPE it is a bristle worm They come in all types,shapes and sizes. Also in fresh water and salt.

hth
Cary GLD

[carsten]

David,

I think you maybe right about them coming in the Plants roots. When I ripped everything out of the tank for a major cleaning, almost all the smaller worms where entangled in the roots.

Jason,

IM me your mailing address, and I'll send one out tuesday.
Should I use Methyl Hydrate for preserving them?

Thanks for the replies,

Carsten

[ping]

Lucky worms, all the way from Carsten (Canada) to Jason (Italy) and FREE TRIP ;D ;D
Have a nice trip worms .... :P ;D

Ronny

[Dkarc@Aol.com]

I remember reading in one of Degen's book's (Discus Health) about bristle worms. I recall reading that they are not harmful to the fish as long as they dont eat them. If they eat them, the bristles will get stuck in the intestinal lining and the wall of the intestine will actually form around the bristle, encapsulating it. This can lead to a serious bacterial infection and can kill the fish. As to how to get rid of them, no clue ???
HTH

-Ryan

[ping]

Hi,

Here are the info on how to remove them :
http://www.simplifiedreefkeeping.com/faq/faq1.htm
http://www.netpets.org/fish/reference/reefref/bristle2.html#trap

This guy used nylon traps:
http://fishinthe.net/html/forum/viewtopic.php?t=2538

Bristle Worms info:
http://www.reefcorner.com/SpecimenSheets/bristleworm.htm
OMG. they grow up to 20" ... You better get rid off them. Waste your discus food.

Enough with worms... freaked me out. :scared::puke:

HTH,
Ronny

[carsten]

That last link's pictures looked right on the money!
Thanks for the quick replys. I guess it's time to make myself a trap!

I guess I'll see how many really are in the tank! :)

L8r

Carsten