Bristleworm Invasion

[BlueDolphin123]

I'm TRYING to identify. Oh, and the link was... uh... interesting.
-BlueDolphin123:fish2::fish1:
P.S.
I'm pretty sure I said I had a hunch that these weren't bristleworms. They probably are, and they're putting the inverts up to quite a show. But then again...

 

[Joe0813]

that video......... that was a lot of worms

 

[farfromsea]

I have seen bristle worms attacking a mostly alive fish but it was covered in sores from disease and shipping stress. I just do not see how they could get to a healthy fish, and further how they could latch on with their lack of jaws.

Are you sure it is not another type of worm?


This guy has a worse bristle worm problem than you. (Nightmare warning)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pq08mk7zzb0

That video is horrifying!!! What is even happening? Why are they in the return?? His tank must have flooded or clogged somehow. I bet they just cannibalized themselves in there and kept reproducing :hmm3::hmm3:

 

[CrayolaViolence]

I saw the video: I think I threw up a little in my mouth.


While I would normally be on the boat of "bristle worms won't kill healthy fish" I don't doubt that an infestation that big could seriously damage/kill just about anything in your tank.
If you are dealing with bristle worms in any numbers as seen in that video, I think I would dump the tank and start over. HO-LEEE-COW.

 

[CrayolaViolence]

Bristle worms are very easy to identify. They are usually pink/red sometimes brownish red but the main trait is that they have "fuzzy fringe" which are hundreds of stingers on their sides. This may not be apparent until you pick one up with tweezers then the "stingers" pop out like some sort of demonic ninja weapon.
Hi look I'm a harmless bristle worm. Touch me and I'll set your blood on fire.
Yeah--not a fan.

 

[LJC6780]

Do you have any pictures of these worms?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[hotelbravo]

Bottle them up and send them to me!!! I will take all the bristleworms you want to get rid of!!

 

[rsepiphyte]

Wow, I have never seen anything like that. But appreciate the "pantyhose" solution to trapping them.

 

[ThroThra]

post a photo so we know for sure you arent dealing with a eunicid worm!

 

[Rilelen]

I accidentally solved my similaly horrid bristleworm problem when I put my DEET-covered arm into the tank last summer.

To be sure, it took out every single other invertebrate in the tank as well (corals included) - but. No more bristleworms.

(Fish were fine.)