Yellow Tang ate a Bristle Worm?

[miaheatlvr]

During cleaning with my mag floats, a little worm popped out and it wasnt red it was white, but small. Juvenile bristle? i dont know, ANYWAY as it was squirming on its descent my yellow tang ate it. Is this okay? do yellows eat juvenile bristles? is this possible? will he be ok? I hope so! Thanks for any insight!

 

[miaheatlvr]

Nobody?

 

[poniegirl]

What an odd coincidence.
I may have recently had a similar experience.
I don't think your fish would have eaten it on purpose. I'm going to venture a guess and say it may have some pain and possibly won't be as active or interested in food. If it was a very small worm, it will probably be okay. :thinking:

 

[poniegirl]

By the way, I hope I don't sound morbid, but can you let us know how he does?

 

[oceanists]

Originally Posted by PonieGirl
What an odd coincidence.
I may have recently had a similar experience.
I don't think your fish would have eaten it on purpose. I'm going to venture a guess and say it may have some pain and possibly won't be as active or interested in food. If it was a very small worm, it will probably be okay. :thinking:
I droped a bristle worm back in my tank and my maroon clow tried to take bite of it ..... it was funny cause he left it alone after that but he kep opening his mouth real wide for about a day .... hes fine and dandy ... this was about 1 month ago

 

[poniegirl]

For those of us who have touched the larger ones, we can vouch for the ouch factor. The smaller the worm, the less ouch.
But to swallow one :scared:

 

[miaheatlvr]

Well hes still up and around and looks fine and Hungry, so thank-god! I think/hope these fish no what and what not to eat I hope, I hope its instinct!

 

[poniegirl]

Originally Posted by MiaHeatLvr
Well hes still up and around and looks fine and Hungry, so thank-god! I think/hope these fish no what and what not to eat I hope, I hope its instinct!
I think they absolutely do know instinctively that bristleworms are not food, but who can resist a floating squirmy thing? They don't associate that sort of activity with bristleworms.
I'm glad to hear the tang is doing well!