Tailspot Blenny has bristles on one side.

[Loring]

I recently decided to move some rocks around in my tank which forced my little tailspot blenny to relocate to a new hole. Today when I went to feed him I can see several small bristles sticking into his side. I am aware my tank does have bristle worms so my thought is he just backed into one or something. I'll probably try to set a trap tonight to see if I can get some out but, is there anything I can do to help him or is this something that hopefully he can deal with on his own? Anyone else experience something like this before?

Thanks.

 

[MnFish1]

A picture would be nice. My guess is that since bristle worm 'barbs' can stick in human skin they could also stick in fish skin. So presuming that thats what they are - they might just 'fall out' on their own. Is the fish scratching, behaving differently, etc - and how many bristles are there 1 or 2. or 50? I would tend to watch for signs o infection/inflammation. I'm not sure I would put the fish through the stress of removal. Interesting question. hope this helps

 

[vetteguy53081]

While some fish can eject the over time, some suffer from the sting within them which has a base similar to venom.
If it can hurt a human- imagine a small fish
Observe fish for redness or swelling. A medication such as seachem metroplex may help as it works internally but no guarantees

 

[Loring]

A picture would be nice. My guess is that since bristle worm 'barbs' can stick in human skin they could also stick in fish skin. So presuming that thats what they are - they might just 'fall out' on their own. Is the fish scratching, behaving differently, etc - and how many bristles are there 1 or 2. or 50? I would tend to watch for signs o infection/inflammation. I'm not sure I would put the fish through the stress of removal. Interesting question. hope this helps

I tried to get a pic but the little bristles are almost translucent and aren't really showing up would say 5-10 bristles maybe. Can't really say how long ago it happened but he is acting pretty normal, came out and ate and just hanging out in his hole for now. I suppose I'll never be able to really catch him so hopefully he can shake them out here. I'll have to watch to see if it gets any worse too.

 

[MnFish1]

I tried to get a pic but the little bristles are almost translucent and aren't really showing up would say 5-10 bristles maybe. Can't really say how long ago it happened but he is acting pretty normal, came out and ate and just hanging out in his hole for now. I suppose I'll never be able to really catch him so hopefully he can shake them out here. I'll have to watch to see if it gets any worse too.

IMHO - trying to pull them out - which woudl be much more difficult when they are out of water. Just let it go - and see what happens - you might lose the fish - true - but - to me the risk is far higher than the benefit. Watch for infection. Red, change in behavior, etc

 

[MnFish1]

You can try a fish trap If there is evidence of infection

 

[Loring]

You can try a fish trap If there is evidence of infection

He actually looks like he shook a few of them this evening he ate and he's acting normal laying all over my Zoa's so I'm hopeful. I can still see a couple in there so we shall see.

 

[Lavey29]

Tailspots are tough little fish. They hold their own in the tank too.

 

[Loring]

Tailspots are tough little fish. They hold their own in the tank too.

Yeah he is a little S#!t to be honest, my guess is there was a bristle worm in the new hole he wanted and he "moved it". He also is responsible for kicking my clown fish out of his side of the tank, so they host my intake now which is fun...