shaggy4456
New Member
I was moving rocks in my saltwater tank and found what i think a blood worms ....... should I be concerned?
Worms
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flower
Well-Known Member
Quote:
Originally Posted by shaggy4456 http:///t/393034/worms#post_3493651
I was moving rocks in my saltwater tank and found what i think a blood worms ....... should I be concerned?
Hello, and welcome to the site.
Blood worms are mosquito larva, and I doubt it is on your live rock. If they are small red looking slugs you might have flat worms...can you post a picture? You might be looking at bristle worms...they are two toned and don't touch them, they are also called fire worms because they sting.
Flat worms are like a plague because they bred so fast and cover everything, and bristle worms are a good scavenger, eating decayed leftover food. Google them both and see if you can find a picture that matches what you are seeing, if you can't take a picture yourself.
Originally Posted by shaggy4456 http:///t/393034/worms#post_3493651
I was moving rocks in my saltwater tank and found what i think a blood worms ....... should I be concerned?
Hello, and welcome to the site.
Blood worms are mosquito larva, and I doubt it is on your live rock. If they are small red looking slugs you might have flat worms...can you post a picture? You might be looking at bristle worms...they are two toned and don't touch them, they are also called fire worms because they sting.
Flat worms are like a plague because they bred so fast and cover everything, and bristle worms are a good scavenger, eating decayed leftover food. Google them both and see if you can find a picture that matches what you are seeing, if you can't take a picture yourself.
reefr
Member
proof
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shaggy4456
New Member
Tks for the info ...... what I have are Bristle worms ........ Good to know that is a good thing and not bad ....... Been at this for just over a yr now and still learning new things about my 120 gal tank .....
flower
Well-Known Member
Quote:
Originally Posted by REEFR http:///t/393034/worms#post_3493658
bristleworms DO NOT sting. firreworms DO sting.
???I thought they were one and the same??? I too learn something new everytine I turn around.
Here is what I got when I looked up:
Almost all reefers use the common name bristleworm for what worm people call fireworms. Technically all polychaetes are bristle worms as the term is made up of 2 latin words: "poly" = many and "chaete" = bristles or hairs. Fireworms are polychaetes that belong to the family Amphinomidae. Bigger species like Eurythoe complanata Hermodice carunculata (the coral eater), Chloeia, have dorsal bristles that are shaped like barbed harpoons. Some specialists think they carry a mild toxin inside the bristles. Whether they do or not, when a worm is handled & the bristles break off they work their way through the skin into a person's flesh. For those with thin or sensitive skin it causes a burning sensation - hence the term "fireworm".
So one is just larger than the other...yes or no which one...do not touch without gloves. A small little bristle worm is not a bad critter.
Originally Posted by REEFR http:///t/393034/worms#post_3493658
bristleworms DO NOT sting. firreworms DO sting.
???I thought they were one and the same??? I too learn something new everytine I turn around.
Here is what I got when I looked up:
Almost all reefers use the common name bristleworm for what worm people call fireworms. Technically all polychaetes are bristle worms as the term is made up of 2 latin words: "poly" = many and "chaete" = bristles or hairs. Fireworms are polychaetes that belong to the family Amphinomidae. Bigger species like Eurythoe complanata Hermodice carunculata (the coral eater), Chloeia, have dorsal bristles that are shaped like barbed harpoons. Some specialists think they carry a mild toxin inside the bristles. Whether they do or not, when a worm is handled & the bristles break off they work their way through the skin into a person's flesh. For those with thin or sensitive skin it causes a burning sensation - hence the term "fireworm".
So one is just larger than the other...yes or no which one...do not touch without gloves. A small little bristle worm is not a bad critter.
meowzer
Moderator
Quote:
Originally Posted by REEFR http:///t/393034/worms#post_3493658
bristleworms DO NOT sting. firreworms DO sting.
Not touching either....regardless
Originally Posted by REEFR http:///t/393034/worms#post_3493658
bristleworms DO NOT sting. firreworms DO sting.
Not touching either....regardless
bang guy
Moderator
Quote:
Originally Posted by REEFR http:///t/393034/worms#post_3493658
bristleworms DO NOT sting. firreworms DO sting.
Fireworms are a type of Bristleworm. Very few of either are venomous.
Originally Posted by REEFR http:///t/393034/worms#post_3493658
bristleworms DO NOT sting. firreworms DO sting.
Fireworms are a type of Bristleworm. Very few of either are venomous.
reefr
Member
Quote:
Originally Posted by Flower http:///t/393034/worms#post_3493672
???I thought they were one and the same??? I too learn something new everytine I turn around.
Here is what I got when I looked up:
Almost all reefers use the common name bristleworm for what worm people call fireworms. Technically all polychaetes are bristle worms as the term is made up of 2 latin words: "poly" = many and "chaete" = bristles or hairs. Fireworms are polychaetes that belong to the family Amphinomidae. Bigger species like Eurythoe complanata Hermodice carunculata (the coral eater), Chloeia, have dorsal bristles that are shaped like barbed harpoons. Some specialists think they carry a mild toxin inside the bristles. Whether they do or not, when a worm is handled & the bristles break off they work their way through the skin into a person's flesh. For those with thin or sensitive skin it causes a burning sensation - hence the term "fireworm".
So one is just larger than the other...yes or no which one...do not touch without gloves. A small little bristle worm is not a bad critter.
i pick up brisitleworms that are too biug fgor my tank. no problems
Originally Posted by Flower http:///t/393034/worms#post_3493672
???I thought they were one and the same??? I too learn something new everytine I turn around.
Here is what I got when I looked up:
Almost all reefers use the common name bristleworm for what worm people call fireworms. Technically all polychaetes are bristle worms as the term is made up of 2 latin words: "poly" = many and "chaete" = bristles or hairs. Fireworms are polychaetes that belong to the family Amphinomidae. Bigger species like Eurythoe complanata Hermodice carunculata (the coral eater), Chloeia, have dorsal bristles that are shaped like barbed harpoons. Some specialists think they carry a mild toxin inside the bristles. Whether they do or not, when a worm is handled & the bristles break off they work their way through the skin into a person's flesh. For those with thin or sensitive skin it causes a burning sensation - hence the term "fireworm".
So one is just larger than the other...yes or no which one...do not touch without gloves. A small little bristle worm is not a bad critter.
i pick up brisitleworms that are too biug fgor my tank. no problems
flower
Well-Known Member
Quote:
Originally Posted by REEFR http:///t/393034/worms#post_3493691
i pick up brisitleworms that are too biug fgor my tank. no problems
Wow...Do you really suggest to folks to go ahead and pick one up because you do? I have seen pictures of folks with bristles sticking out of their fingers, why test it to see and just wear some doctor gloves. I'm sure it isn't poison, it just smarts.
I just can't resist....LOL...It's said a dinosaurs brain was so small compared to it's body size that it would take it a week to realize it had hurt itself. JK. ...see the big smile...I am joking with you..
The truth is some people have thick calluses on thier fingers and don't feel the bristles. That certainly does not mean you should do a macho stupid man thing to pick them up barehanded. You are not a sissy if you wear gloves. JMO
Originally Posted by REEFR http:///t/393034/worms#post_3493691
i pick up brisitleworms that are too biug fgor my tank. no problems
Wow...Do you really suggest to folks to go ahead and pick one up because you do? I have seen pictures of folks with bristles sticking out of their fingers, why test it to see and just wear some doctor gloves. I'm sure it isn't poison, it just smarts.
I just can't resist....LOL...It's said a dinosaurs brain was so small compared to it's body size that it would take it a week to realize it had hurt itself. JK. ...see the big smile...I am joking with you..
The truth is some people have thick calluses on thier fingers and don't feel the bristles. That certainly does not mean you should do a macho stupid man thing to pick them up barehanded. You are not a sissy if you wear gloves. JMO
meowzer
Moderator
Quote:
Originally Posted by Bang Guy http:///t/393034/worms#post_3493706
I use tongs. I must be the ultimate sissy.
LOL....I use the baster
Originally Posted by Bang Guy http:///t/393034/worms#post_3493706
I use tongs. I must be the ultimate sissy.
LOL....I use the baster
S
smallreef
Guest
I use the baster for the small ones, the long tongs for the ones that I can get quick.. and 2 pairs of gloves for the ones I have to pull out of the rocks, lol ( I do NOT trust those thin gloves with only one pair... if my maroon clown can bite through them then I dont want bristles in my fingers, lol)