Hitchhiker help

[SammieT]

Can someone tell me what this is? Found this little bastard while cleaning the tank fall right out of the rock and went into the sand. Pulled the little turd out and noticed some little spikes on its outside

 

[One fish]

fire bristle worm?

 

[Clowny88]

Just a bristle worm. Good clean up scavenger. Just don't touch it

 

[SammieT]

Worth keeping?

 

[hotelbravo]

bristleworm very beneficial clean up crew. can reach where others cannot i would absolutely keep every one you find. and when Clowny88 says dont touch it he means that the bristles can come off into your fingers and irritate you. they have never bothered me when i handle them bare handed but other people describe it like a burning sensation if they touch one. different people react to the bristles differently. just dont bother them and you should never have to find out how you react to them.

 

[Shawn O]

Wash your hands in vinegar if the bristles irritate your skin.

 

[Leviathan_XE]

That is legion.....they are many. For the one that you do see, there are many you don't see. Good thing they are helpful. As has been stated above, just don't touch them barehanded. Depending on an individual's sensitivity you could end up with minor irritation or a painful blister.