Ouch, what are these prickly things on my fingers?

[Fermat]

When I first handled my live rock with my bare hands, I got some extremely small prickly pointy thing stuck in my finger which I could feel poking me for hours after. Since that, I have used gloves when handling my live rock.

Yesterday, I cleaned out my skimmer sponge by taking it off and squeezing it repeatedly with my bare hand under the tap. Ouch! I got at least half a dozen pokey things again all over my palm and fingers.

So..... What are these things?

[Sk8r]

Those would be bristleworm spines. Soak your hand in white vinegar: that will dissolve them. Hot water will diminish the pain. They're friendlies, for the tank, but not so good for human fingers. Wear latex gloves, and this won't happen.

[Fermat]

Cool. So, does it mean I have bristleworms? I haven't seen any (yet).

[rustybucket145]

Yup, probably bristleworms. Great for the tank so do not remove. There's alot of mis-conception about them out there but they are great at keeping a tank healthy. Latex gloves will solve the problem. I bought a huge box from a medical supply house a year ago for pretty cheap. I still do most everything bare-handed though. Unless I'm gonna be moving rocks around b/c they mostly hang out under the rocks. That's when I strap on the gloves!

[onecrzyboi4u]

good indication.. they are very good for your tank!!! don't freak out

[Fermat]

Thanks. I'm pleased, actually. I have read up on them. I've been a little dissapointed with the life on my live rock so far after 7 weeks in the tank, so hopefully they are there.

Yeah, I got a pair of those arm length rubber gloves and use them when dealing with the rock, but it seems I need to use them when squeezing out my sponge as well. :) Makes sense... If they float around the water, then they'd get stuck in the sponge.

[dazed]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8952875#post8952875 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Fermat
Cool. So, does it mean I have bristleworms? I haven't seen any (yet).


Grab yourself a flashlight after your tank lights have been out for a while and do some "looking" around if they are in there you will see them; they don't like the light.

[rustybucket145]

All I have to do to see them is turn over a small rock or shell that has been sitting in one place for a while.

[Fermat]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8953174#post8953174 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by rustybucket145
All I have to do to see them is turn over a small rock or shell that has been sitting in one place for a while.

I'll try that!

[Nano Chris]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8953133#post8953133 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by dazed
Grab yourself a flashlight after your tank lights have been out for a while and do some "looking" around if they are in there you will see them; they don't like the light. Interesting :eek: i have seen several that come out when the light is on, i must be lucky:p

[Twisted]

I see them every time I feed my tank. They come out of all the little pores in my rocks. I have one that when crunched up is about a 1/4 inch think, and when stretched out can go about 6 inches without leaving his hole.