I caught a bristle worm actively eating my silicone seam on video

[tritonpower]

Before I started to video it the line the bristle worm was in was shorter. I was in shock watching it make it longer before I started to video tape it.

I have had 2 innovative marine EXT 200 pin point leaks at the bottom of both tanks that no one could figure out. No actual seam failure. Now I know why.

 

[tritonpower]

This guy in the video below seems to have the same issue although his video is after the fact. Sure looks like the same thing to me though. Difference is before my video started I watched in shock as the worm actively made the line longer.

My plan is to remove a lot of the sand from my tank. I will keep no sand 360 degrees around along the glass (front/sides/back) since they tend to only burrow where there is sand up against the glass. I also ordered a banded coral shrimp.

 

[DanK.Reefer]

Dang dude. That little sucker has no respect at all. I had an excessive bunch of bristleworms in some liverock I got from another hobbiest. I used an inverted bottle trap and caught 10-15 a night for like 3 days straight then added an arrow crab. The arrow crab was a super cool critter to watch.

 

[Jimbo327]

Wow, that's crazy. Definitely need to take some pre-emptive action on that worm. Will definitely make me do a double take on my seams and any signs of worm burrowing action.

I would probably do the same. Either remove all the sand or clear the perimeter. I would also go with an arrow crab instead.

Here is another video of a seam being burrowed by a worm.

 

[tritonpower]

Wow, that's crazy. Definitely need to take some pre-emptive action on that worm. Will definitely make me do a double take on my seams and any signs of worm burrowing action.

I would probably do the same. Either remove all the sand or clear the perimeter. I would also go with an arrow crab instead.

Here is another video of a seam being burrowed by a worm.

Why arrow over coral banded? I have heard of a lot of people not having success with arrows but coral banded seem to work much better for the bristle worms. I have no experience with either.

 

[tritonpower]

Below is a pic where another one ate between my armor into the corner seam (I have armored seams all around-bottom and vertical sides).

 

[Jimbo327]

Arrow crab will go after bristle worms. I'm not sure about the coral banded shrimp...I've not heard much about them. But maybe they will too.

I would try to set up a small tank, and put it in there...and then start feeding it bristle worms...so they get an appetite for them.

 

[thresher]

Guess we're not the only ones with microplastica in us. Although we inadvertently ingest it, for some it may be intentional

 

[Jimbo327]

Let us know when the coral banded shrimp comes in, and see if he goes after the worms. Did the sand removing around perimeter help?

 

[khmaireefing220]

I added a Coral Banded Shrimp about 3–4 months ago, and since then, I’ve definitely noticed the number of bristle worms going down. Last month, I also added an Arrow Crab for a little extra help.


So far, it seems to be working really well. When I check the tank at night with a flashlight, I barely see any bristle worms anymore. Based on my experience, this combination has definitely helped keep their population under control.

 

[Sold4JC]

This is nuts.
I didn't know Red Sea aquacultured bristle worms.

 

[tritonpower]

Let us know when the coral banded shrimp comes in, and see if he goes after the worms. Did the sand removing around perimeter help?

I screwed up and ordered it from live aquaria forgetting they went under. Somehow the website allowed the sale to go through. I am trying to cancel it. I will order one from saltwateraquarium.com. I hope it helps. Moving the sand should also help since they tend to be under the sand more than anywhere. Time will tell.

 

[DanK.Reefer]

I screwed up and ordered it from live aquaria forgetting they went under. Somehow the website allowed the sale to go through. I am trying to cancel it. I will order one from saltwateraquarium.com. I hope it helps. Moving the sand should also help since they tend to be under the sand more than anywhere. Time will tell.

I don't think that live aquaria is completely gone. They did go through chapter 11 and have some restructuring of their company last year as well as having a 2-3 day website blackout as the company was changing over to new management. This is just my understanding as I haven't ordered from them but as far as I know they should still be operational.

 

[banuvatt]

I heard some of the redsea tanks have pvc attached to the silicone? Maybe that could protect it from urchins and now bristleworms.

 

[SantaMonica]

I've seen worms and crabs eat foam, but what they were really doing is going after the pods in the foam. Maybe there is some food in the silicone that the worms are wanting.

 

[tritonpower]

I don't think that live aquaria is completely gone. They did go through chapter 11 and have some restructuring of their company last year as well as having a 2-3 day website blackout as the company was changing over to new management. This is just my understanding as I haven't ordered from them but as far as I know they should still be operational.

Technically, you are correct. Weird experience. I ordered the shrimp and heard nothing for 2 weeks. Sent email and no response. Their website does not work so could not access my order at all. Then suddenly was notified yesterday it was shipped and it showed up today. I guess they are somewhat operational but there was absolutely no communication at all. Not someone I would order from again.

Shrimp showed up alive. My wife put in in the tank. Clown fish attacked it. It ran right into a rock anemone and was an expensive lunch.

Ordered another one from saltwateraquarium.com. I will put it in the sump for a while and feed it bristle worms down there and then move it up to the tank eventually.