Clear thin projections on fish

[Myxini]

Hi all,

I noticed a number of clear, thin projections on my fire fish today. I have no idea what these are. The fish has been in the tank 6+ months and no new fish for 3+ months. I have added new corals recently. None of the other fish have it.

I don’t have great photos, but I’ll attach what I have and try to get some better ones if the fish comes out again. It looks like there might be small spheres at the end of the strands. It honestly looks the most like a bunch of bristleworm setae got stuck all over the fish.

Any ideas what this is? How could it be treated? Or should I euthanize? TIA.

 

[Sharkbait19]

#fishmedic
That does look like the bristleworm bristles. If so, it likely dove into a cave and got stung. Not sure if there’s anything you can do.

 

[Myxini]

This fish definitely hides under the rocks a lot and I know I’ve got some big polychaetes in the tank. Well, if it’s bristles, at least I know it’s not contagious. I feel bad for the little guy, he’s got a lot stuck in him. Looks like the advice for this is to just leave the fish alone and wait.

 

[Seymo44]

@Sharkbait19 hit the nait on the head. Looks like bristles

 

[vetteguy53081]

Got its face into a bristleworm. Will fall off slowly but surely

 

[nereefpat]

Nice pic.

 

[ReefRondo]

Yup it’s bristleworm bristles.

 

[Myxini]

Thanks, all! He’s out and about again and eating.

 

[Myxini]

Update for anyone who stumbles upon this post. The bristles were gone within a few days and the fish has made a full recovery.

 

[Karen00]

Update for anyone who stumbles upon this post. The bristles were gone within a few days and the fish has made a full recovery.

Thanks for the update! Getting updates always helps for folks that run into the same issue. I'm so glad the bristles dropped off and your fish is fine! Poor little guy looked like a porcupine stuck him.