Run-in with a bristlenose (Don't think he'll make it)

[dipan]

While I was feeding today (PE mysis, arctic pods) my trio (yes they get along brilliantly) of dartfish were feeding happily. The bristlenose worms always come out when I feed mysis also. I think it's their favorite. Anyway, not 15 minutes ago one of em got skittish for some reason. He bolted into the hole where a big bristlenose (at least 12") was partially sticking out of. Then I noticed he stopped feeding and was hiding. Snapped a couple pics. Don't ever run into a bristlenose. I think he learned his lesson, but I'm not sure he'll survive this, particularly if the spines are venomous like they're supposed to be. Don't think there is anything I can do really. Suggestions? I'm afraid if I try to get him out and QT him he will die from catch trauma. Wouldn't be the first time it happened to me.

 

[Gwynhidwy]

I don't think there is much you can do, but fish do recover from being stung by bristleworms. I haven't ever seen one with quite so many before, but hopefully he'll pull through for you.

 

[dipan]

Still alive, but reclusive. I can't see Larry very well, but there still do appear to be at least a cluster of spikes right behind his eye at least. There may be fewer spines/spikes otherwise. I decided to add aeration to help him breathe a bit. Wondering if I should do another water change. I did a 25% WC 5 days ago. Curly and Moe look just fine ...

 

[khaosinc]

poor thing just looks unhappy.

 

[dipan]

Well I guess I was in freshwater mode when I made the original post. I did mean bristleWORM and not bristleNOSE

 

[affordableocean]

this is my first to see something like this...poor little guy!

 

[dipan]

Didn't see him today. Either he is hiding in his hole or the bristleworm that stung him is eating him. I'm thinking of eradicating the big worms at least and getting a predator for the smaller ones to keep them in check.

 

[Gwynhidwy]

I'm sorry to hear that. Hopefully he'll show up in a day or two bristle free. I'm happy to have the smaller bristle worms in my tank, but the big guys get the boot.

 

[underwaterfirefighter]

Hate to hear about your incident. Hope he pulls thru for you. Please keep us updated on his condition.

 

[lkc]

I barely tolerate bristle worms and this is one of the reasons why. Poor baby, I hope he comes out.

 

[dipan]

I'm sorry to hear that. Hopefully he'll show up in a day or two bristle free. I'm happy to have the smaller bristle worms in my tank, but the big guys get the boot.

Giving them the boot is difficult. I've tried trying to bait them, but they are too big. I've tried standing ready with long forceps when I feed mysis, but they are too fast for me. I think I just have to take the rocks out and dip in hypersaline water, like I've read, or bathe the rocks in club soda, like I've read. I'm going to do it soon, probably when I transfer the system to the new QT when it is done, in preparation for my new setup.

I just want to make sure that I have some sort of bristleworm check in place (natural predators) because manually dipping all the rocks in a larger setup will be very difficult. So difficult that I won't do it.

Hate to hear about your incident. Hope he pulls thru for you. Please keep us updated on his condition.

I barely tolerate bristle worms and this is one of the reasons why. Poor baby, I hope he comes out.

Thanks guys. He is there in his cave under one of the rocks. The other two are becoming reclusive also, keeping him company it seems.

I wonder if I should take the basslet out of the tank (the only other fish), and temporarily put him in a small QT while the dartfish recovers. He always picks on them a bit making them skittish.