What's on my Goby???

[ssick92]

Can anyone help figure out what these spikey things coming out of my Watchman are? He isn't acting any differently and still eating. Today (10/26) is the first day that he has them.

They are on his back, dorsal fin, and tail fin as well. What can I do to help him?

 

[HiImSean]

fungal infection?

 

[EllieSuz]

Your fish lost a contest with a bristle worm. Those bristles should work their way out of him. You could catch him and remove them with a tweezers, but I'd wait and see what happens. I hope he learned his lesson.

 

[SweetTang]

Looks like you now have a naked bristle worm in your tank now....

 

[ssick92]

I have a couple very large bristworms (probably 6+ inches). I have been contemplating removing them for awhile, do you think it would be wise to remove them or is this event a minor inconvenience to the goby?

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[EllieSuz]

Usually bristle worms are a nice addition to your clean up crew, but the bristles on your fish make me think it must have come from a pretty big worm. It might be more than an inconvenience if the fish gets an infection. Not likely, perhaps, but possible. Do you see the worms after lights out? Can you estimate their size? If they're really big, you might want to try to catch them.

 

[ssick92]

Usually bristle worms are a nice addition to your clean up crew, but the bristles on your fish make me think it must have come from a pretty big worm. It might be more than an inconvenience if the fish gets an infection. Not likely, perhaps, but possible. Do you see the worms after lights out? Can you estimate their size? If they're really big, you might want to try to catch them.

Yes, right after lights go out the bristleworms come out for a couple minutes. I should be able to catch them and remove them. They are getting pretty huge. Easily above 6"...

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[Charley Diesing]

I hope its nothing serious. But I gotta say that looks awesome! Makes me think bristle-worms are like the porcupine of the sea! ;p

 

[ssick92]

I hope its nothing serious. But I gotta say that looks awesome! Makes me think bristle-worms are like the porcupine of the sea! ;p

They are coming out of his eye! I can't imagine what kind of pain he is in right now. I hope they work their way out quickly!

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[ssick92]

Update: Well most of the bristles have worked their way out, however there are still a couple in his dorsal fin. Looking like he's going to fully recover.

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[EllieSuz]

That's good news. Thanks for keeping us posted.

 

[crabbyreef]

Ouch! Poor little guy! Glad he's better.