Stinging Bristleworms?

J

JesterAAK

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Aug 23, 2004

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Allenhurst, NJ

• Aug 16, 2009

• #1

Has anyone ever had an experience with bristle worms being a nuisance to a tank? Someone tried to tell me that their cuttlefish was agitated because bristle worms were stinging him and it caused inking...

Anyone?

 

1oooop

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Jun 5, 2008

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game.uctrl.net

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Brandon

• Aug 16, 2009

• #2

nope... I know that bristle worms have bristles that get stuck in fish and agitate them

 

SubRosa

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Jul 3, 2009

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• Aug 16, 2009

• #3

I know that getting stung by one agitates me, so I imagine it would be no picnic for a fish if it happened. I just don't think it happens much.

 

Reefscape

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Nov 8, 2006

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Blinky

• Aug 16, 2009

• #4

The chaetae are there as a defense mechanism...they are a hollow tube filled with poison...The more common bristle worms usually only cause an irritation, however the more potent fireworms can pack a big punch from their chaetae.

 

Almondsaz

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May 26, 2007

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• Aug 16, 2009

• #5

I have read where some fish must have been a bit to curious and got the "bristles" or chaetae stuck on their face and agitated the fish. In fact it was a mystery wrasse and person noted the something spikey coming out of the wrasses face and thought there was something wrong with it. Turns out it was overly curious and the guy found the bristleworm shortly thereafter.