What is this?

[stanger50lx92]

I found one of these guys in my refugium. I have from what I've seen in my display tank like maybe 4 of them. I took a pic of this guy to show you all so that I could find out what he is and if he is a good guy or bad guy.
Hopefully someone knows what he is.
Thanks
Freddy

 

[mistaflicksta]

It is a bristle worm. they eat detritus in your tank. I personally dont like how they look but they benifit the aquarium

 

[pnavarro170]

im against them, my melanurus wrasse takes care of em, havent seen one in mine. haha

 

[psuedopimp]

they take care of excess food in no time. good guys. they can get pretty big but i wouldn't worry about them.

 

[deehz]

they take care of excess food in no time. good guys. they can get pretty big but i wouldn't worry about them.

+1!
they are very beneficial to tanks. Don't touch them though! from what I have read on these guys, is that they can really mess you up.

 

[stanger50lx92]

Thanks guys.
So he is both good and bad. Just as long as he don't mess with the expensive stuff!
Thanks again guys!
Freddy

 

[ryan_paskadi]

There good detritivores.... There also called fire worms becuase the bristles along the sides of them are used for defense and can cause a stinging burning pain.

Genereally you can hold them with your hands becuase typically most people have thick skin on your hands that make their bristles ineffective, but it u get one in a spot where the skin is thiner it might be quite annoying.

 

[puffin04]

I found one of these guys in my refugium. I have from what I've seen in my display tank like maybe 4 of them. I took a pic of this guy to show you all so that I could find out what he is and if he is a good guy or bad guy.
Hopefully someone knows what he is.
Thanks
Freddy

Most people on here refer to those as in-laws?!

Steffen Sparks

 

[deehz]

....Genereally you can hold them with your hands becuase typically most people have thick skin on your hands that make their bristles ineffective, but it u get one in a spot where the skin is thiner it might be quite annoying.

I wouldn't take that chance. Whether if humans have thick skin or not does not matter. The bristles contain toxins that if they penetrate even the upper dermal layer of skin, can still cause havoc. Its the equivalent of clutching a lit m80 in your hand. You wouldn't take the risk of doing that would you?

 

[puffin04]

I wouldn't take that chance. Whether if humans have thick skin or not does not matter. The bristles contain toxins that if they penetrate even the upper dermal layer of skin, can still cause havoc. Its the equivalent of clutching a lit m80 in your hand. You wouldn't take the risk of doing that would you?

YES!!!! I cant wait for some Jackass at the next meeting IN 3D. Now who is going to squeeze or snort one of these guys?! Ryan? lol

Steffen Sparks

 

[deehz]

YES!!!! I cant wait for some Jackass at the next meeting IN 3D. Now who is going to squeeze or snort one of these guys?! Ryan? lol

Steffen Sparks

Lol! :thumbsup:

 

[jmait769]

I wouldn't take that chance. Whether if humans have thick skin or not does not matter. The bristles contain toxins that if they penetrate even the upper dermal layer of skin, can still cause havoc. Its the equivalent of clutching a lit m80 in your hand. You wouldn't take the risk of doing that would you?

Yes, I would not handle them. :eek1: Here is a good article on them: Bristle Worm Removal

I have a Sipunculid "peanut" worm that comes out every night from under the green leather. He has lived in that rock for some time and extends out about 6 inches and eats poop! I have tried to take a pic of him but he is light sensitive and will quickly retract if any light comes near it. Pretty cool looking.

Jay

 

[ryan_paskadi]

I hold them all the time (not for fun but moving rock around or whatever sometimes they fall into your hand)... There are essentially hundreds of species of "fire worms" most are fairly benign, only a few specias can do real harm. Just like the stinging cells of our corals the skin on are hands is to thick to penatrate, but put one in your mouth and watch the insanity insue.