Bristle worm? Or something worse?

[Roy 9121]

Can i get some ID help?

 

[AcroNem]

Yep. A bristle worm. I like them as scavengers as long as there aren't too many of them.

 

[Roy 9121]

Yep. A bristle worm. I like them as scavengers as long as there aren't too many of them.

That's the only one I've seen.

 

[AcroNem]

Cool then, it's a pretty one too, nice pink color. They do have an unfortunate defense mechanism though.

 

[Roy 9121]

Cool then, it's a pretty one too, nice pink color. They do have an unfortunate defense mechanism though.

What is that?

 

[AcroNem]

The bristles can have an affect on people if you touch them and get them in you. I've accidentally grabbed many of them and it's usually just an itching for me after dissolving the bristles off in vinegar. Some people complain of other pain and some say it doesn't affect them. They shouldn't bother anything else just don't touch it

 

[Lionfish Lair]

That one looks impressive. I wonder what type he is.

 

[AcroNem]

That one looks impressive. I wonder what type he is.

Uhh, Polychaeta is as far as I know for its name. haha.

It is pretty that's for sure.

 

[Roy 9121]

That one looks impressive. I wonder what type he is.

I'll try to get a better picture.

 

[Lionfish Lair]

I'll try to get a better picture.

I don't think I could ID it specifically even if you got him out. There's soooooooo many different types that can hitch on in, some more common than others.

 

[telsonman]

looks like a fire worm

 

[Jisko]

After seeing so many crazy bristle worms I have yet to see a fire worm... I guess what I'd call a fire worm isnt really a fire worm but instead a crazy bristle 0_o

 

[Lionfish Lair]

The thing that's confusing is the term itself. The term fireworm used to be for THE fireworm, the Hermodice carunculata. Now it also includes a group of others like the Caribbean Fireworm, which is common. So, no, it's not a H. carunculata, but it could very well be the Caribbean fireworm, which is the common Eurythoe complanata. Sometimes we make this hobby so hard on ourselves. LOL!

I've only seen 2 "true" fireworms (H. carunculata). I would love to get my hands on one.

 

[Sm51498]

I've only seen 2 "true" fireworms (H. carunculata). I would love to get my hands on one.

.

Wear gloves

 

[Lionfish Lair]

Heh!

 

[smokin'reefer]

I had this in my tank.

I got both bristle and fire as ID's but settled on fire worm because it sounded more ominous.

 

[Lionfish Lair]

When you hear the label fireworm, what comes to mind?

 

[Brian W]

Looks like a fire worm to me.


This is the bristle worms I have in one of my tanks:

and this is the fire worm I have in my pico tank

 

[smokin'reefer]

When you hear the label fireworm, what comes to mind?

Tequila.

 

[Roy 9121]

I had this in my tank.

I got both bristle and fire as ID's but settled on fire worm because it sounded more ominous.

This looks like what i have in my tank. Good or bad?