I would like to add a passage from reef invertebrates-an essential guide to selection, care and compatibility. By Anthony calfo and Robert fenner. "When you discover worms in your aquarium, please do not be alarmed or reactionary. Case in point, the sight of a common segmented worm with just a few bristles on it is enough to send many aquarists with just a little bit of knowledge and a whole lot of fear in search of a flame-thrower and napalm despenser. We ask you to pause in such cases and put down the military hardware. Noxious bristleworms, if indeed that's what you have and fear, are not only overstated as "bad guys"... But they are tremendously beneficial for the living substrate! They have an un-deservedly bad reputation mainly from the true bearded fireworm (hermodice carunculata) from days long ago when fireworms were common in trade with wild live rock out if florida and the carribean. But that wild rock has been illegal to collect since 1997. Other than immature (1-3 year aged) aquaculture rock from the reigon... Little wild substrate and very few of the real "bad worms" even make it to the hobby anymore. Arguments too that bristleworms can grow to plague populations are skewed by the omission that such plagues need fuel to grow- only in neglected or overfed tanks will you see these worms flourish to nuisance levels. Like many organisms in the reef aquarium, due diligence and husbandry is necissary to keep these and most other organisms in a balance that benefits the system. Its another friendly reminder of the importance of identifying and understanding the animals in out charge always before reacting. Expelling unknown marine worms from the aquarium is not a matter of "better safe than sorry" when the group is overwhelmingly helpful and harmless"
Hopefully this info helps with your bristleworm questions
