This worm got me then I had payback!

[mfindell]

I was straightening up my frag vat one fine afternoon and went to move what I thought was a small rock. Should have been paying attention but it was this big fat sucker! I pulled my hand back and had these white hair looking things sticking out of about 4 of my fingers. Well my middle finger on the nuckle just below the fingernail got it the worst. It did not hurt at that point but after tweezers and duct tape I thought I was free. Well a week later the nuckle started to hurt. I do hair and the more I worked the worst it hurt. This lasted about a week. I was just about to see if it was going to have to be amputated when it started easing up. Are these things beneficial enough for the risk? He is now taking an eternal nap in the woods across the street!!! He will not get the chance at me again but I am sure he is not the only one in there. Is this a bristle worm? He was about 4 inches log.

 

[davidbryden]

i had one of these in my tank and he was nibbling on the bases of all my softies so pulled him out one night with skewers and stuck him in the freezer. luckily i had heard the words of warning about picking them up a few days previously!

 

[mfindell]

You were lucky Davidbryden!!! I would not have thought of skewers but now that you mention it I should keep some handy!!!

 

[mfindell]

Does anybody know why pictures show sometimes and then sometimes there is an x in a red square????????????

 

[jaymz101]

Yes its a fireworm/bristle worm. Most species are very beneficial detritivores, some (and I emphasize SOME) are corallivores and will eat your coral polyps at night. These are usually the very large individuals (upwards of a foot long). The rest Id leave be and just watch where you put your hands next time. It sounds like you had some of the spines stuck in your knuckle and had to wait for them to work their way out. (they're quite delicate and sting like hellfire) Lesson learned.

 

[mastou]

I have also tried to get my fingers covered in fireworm/bristleworm spines.

A treatment that worked for me was to first quickly remove all the spines with a razor and then dip the finger in acetic acid - kind of the same treatment as when you get burned by jellyfish

Just for your next encounter

/Magnus

 

[mfindell]

The weird thing is there was no pain at all until days later. I guess I got lucky!!!

 

[mastou]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9982809#post9982809 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by mastou
I have also tried to get my fingers covered in fireworm/bristleworm spines.

A treatment that worked for me was to first quickly remove all the spines with a razor and then dip the finger in acetic acid - kind of the same treatment as when you get burned by jellyfish

Just for your next encounter

/Magnus

Oh year just to make sure, the acetic acid was of cause diluted !

 

[fry_school101]

Days later? Maybe because part of the bristle was stuck and it was being rubbed against?