Right now In my reef tank I've got a problem. In my LR is a good sized fireworm. It's not a bristleworm, I've got some of those too and I can tell which is which. Anyway, the fireworm, nicknamed Big gray due to his size and strange gray color, is at least 6" long. Thats all I've seen come out of the rock and that looks like a little bit past halfway. He's pretty strong too and managed to break a feeding stick i was trying to trap him with. Anyway, I've heard quite a few bad things about fireworms and I plan on killing him, preferably painfully. And plus, I've heard of them attacking fish, and considering my eel often goes by Big Grey's spot, I'm worryed about the eel especially. Any ideas on how to trap him?
fireworms, NOT BRISTLEWORMS
- Thread starter Derf
- Start date
Only way to get that worm out of his rock is by running cold tap water over the rock and in the areas where he's hiding until either he dies or comes out. Fill a bucket with cold tap water and drop the rock in.
Also from what I understand is that Fireworms are scavangers just like their cousins the bristle worm. Most likely the 6 line died from something else and he simply got a free meal.
Also from what I understand is that Fireworms are scavangers just like their cousins the bristle worm. Most likely the 6 line died from something else and he simply got a free meal.
actually, any research I've done, that being from books, online sources or different people, says that fireworms are typically predators, attacking live fish if the size is right and preferably when the fish is sleeping. And because of the weird way wrasses sleep, or at least mine, by jamming themselves in a tight crevice it leaves them vulnerable. However, the problem with the tap water idea is that its a big rock at the bottom of my tank.
You could try a fireworm/bristleworm trap. But then you will be hit or miss, and it may take days, weeks, or months to catch the one you want.
You can try a larger syringe, like the ones for medicine. That may or may not be able to suck him out. Usually you only see half of the worm, so it could be 12" if it fully stretches out.
If it isn't hard to get the rock out, I would drop it in a bucket of cold freshwater.
You can try a larger syringe, like the ones for medicine. That may or may not be able to suck him out. Usually you only see half of the worm, so it could be 12" if it fully stretches out.
If it isn't hard to get the rock out, I would drop it in a bucket of cold freshwater.
take your shop vac out, set the tube in the tank near where the fireworm comes out, place some bait for the worm in front of the tube. when the fireworm comes out flick the vacuum on and suck it out.
this also works when catching damsels
this also works when catching damsels
good news, i think. This weekend I'm going to probably get the rock with big grey out and kill him. If i can catch him before that i won't, and im hoping i won't need to take out the rock.
well good news. I OWNED BIG GREY'S FACE OFF. I've always wanted to say that. Saying that, I didn't use the method of taking out the rock. I baited him with krill and in about a half second period of time I dropped the krill and grabbed him at I'm guessing the equivalent of his neck, then screaming FATALITY! I don't know if fireworms have necks. After that, I just ripped him out of the rock, then flushed him down the toilet while laughing. I feel so messed up. However, I'm not certain I got all of him. So, does anybody know if they can regenerate after having a 6" or so chunk ripped off?