Glassy fibers on firefish

[Ghost25]

I just noticed some fine transparent fibers on my firefish. They look like the pieces of fiberglass that shed off insulation. They seem to be attached to the body. He seems fine, behavior is normal. I've never heard of anything like this.

 

[Jay Hemdal Verified Community Expert]

Tough to see, but it sounds like these are bristles broken off in the skin from a run in with a bristleworm. This always seems to heal on their own…
Jay

 

[Vyper]

i was going to say the same. I lost a scooter blenny to bristle worms. Got a bristle stuck in his gill and stopped eating. Couldn’t see until it was to late.

 

[Ghost25]

That makes sense. I have a couple large fireworms that hide in the rock. Now I have a another reason to remove them.

 

[Vyper]

That makes sense. I have a couple large fireworms that hide in the rock. Now I have a another reason to remove them.

Ummmm…. I think fireworms are a concern. I believe they will kill fish. Someone correct me if I’m wrong. Bristle worms are much less of a problem

 

[Ghost25]

Ummmm…. I think fireworms are a concern. I believe they will kill fish. Someone correct me if I’m wrong. Bristle worms are much less of a problem

I've had them a while and they've never killed a fish. I caught one a while back munching on a zoa and removed it, but I haven't had any do that since. I think I've been feeding enough they don't bother anymore.

 

[Gtinnel]

Ummmm…. I think fireworms are a concern. I believe they will kill fish. Someone correct me if I’m wrong. Bristle worms are much less of a problem

A bearded fireworm (which are still a type of bristleworm) are undesirable in a tank. A regular bristleworm is a good member of a CUC, although there are still people who hate them and try to keep them put of their tanks.
Fireworms generally are not a threat to fish, it's usually corals that they are more an issue for.

 

[Karen00]

Ummmm…. I think fireworms are a concern. I believe they will kill fish. Someone correct me if I’m wrong. Bristle worms are much less of a problem

This is my understanding as well. I'm following this to see what others say. I thought it was recommended that fireworms be removed right away.