Fire worm or bristle worm?

Corgigirl

Well-Known Member
View Badges
Joined
Sep 6, 2020
Messages
885
Reaction score
1,062
Location
Northern VA
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
I’m thinking this is just a bristle worm, but hoped you all can confirm! I have several in my sump, likely more in my DT. Thanks all!
320905E4-2A5B-4863-A2D6-D990B80EDAC0.jpeg
 
I’m thinking this is just a bristle worm, but hoped you all can confirm! I have several in my sump, likely more in my DT. Thanks all!
320905E4-2A5B-4863-A2D6-D990B80EDAC0.jpeg
Bristleworm. Although Not welcomed in any of my tanks, they are regarded as part of cleaning crew eating uneaten food and detritus
 
It does look like a fireworm in some regards.. its really dark red, bristles look very thick. There are so many kinds of both though. FWIW..i believe I have both. One specific worm that I cannot catch is about 7" long, thick, dark red, and extremely fast. Do you have Florida live rock?
 
For future reference, since this does look like a fireworm - what are the distinguishing differences here? (because the specimen above doesn't resemble any of the bristleworms I've found).
Difference is the setae which will be hairy on a fireworm. Im going to look on my 30" screen instead of phone screen.
 
Looks like a harmless bristle worm to me. The fireworm that everyone worries about (Hermodice carunculata) will have a distinct red caruncle on its head, which I don’t see on yours.
 
Bristleworm - Looking at Setae- not a fireworm.

Setae on fireworm:

1648938627676.png


Sides of a fireworm:

1648938802741.png
 
Last edited:
Difference is the setae which will be hairy on a fireworm. Im going to look on my 30" screen instead of phone screen.
Consensus here was that it's a fireworm based on the setae, so appreciate the clarification - thanks.
 
. I have several more in my sump…they're easy enough to get out. i imagine I have more in my DT, that will be a bit tougher. I’ll be making a trap in the morning, lol.
 
Curious how you manage to not have any in your tanks ?
You said the key word- Manage

I comb through everything entering my tank. Have not had an asterina star in over 2 years
 
Last edited:
So now we're back to a bristleworm?
This will confirm based on body color and bristles besides previously mentioned and the setae

1648939360793.png
 
Not trying to hijack, but I didn't want to create another thread on the same topic. I keep losing YWG and couldn't figure out why. A couple of months ago I found this guy and removed him thinking it was a bristle worm. Added another YWG and he too disappeared and few days later i saw another one of these fockers come from under a rock. Fireworm?
20220206_180155.jpg
 

IF YOU HAD TO TAKE A REEFING EXAM, WOULD YOU PASS?

  • Yes!

    Votes: 32 45.7%
  • Not yet, but I have one that I want to buy in mind!

    Votes: 9 12.9%
  • No.

    Votes: 26 37.1%
  • Other (please explain).

    Votes: 3 4.3%
Back
Top