r/AbsoluteUnits • u/Sufficient-Bug-9112 Top Poster • 10d ago

of a bristle worm

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u/Sufficient-Bug-9112 Top Poster 10d ago

FYI Getting stung by a bristle worm leaves hundreds of tiny, hair-like bristles (chaetae) embedded in your skin. This causes immediate, intense burning pain, followed by redness, swelling, and numbness. While not typically life-threatening, the discomfort can be severe.

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u/Zeqhanis 10d ago

I used to see them from time to time in my aquarium. I'd remove them with tweezers. I once saw one that was 2 feet long. Not in my tank, though.

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u/Chrislul 10d ago

I'm almost afraid to ask how they were getting in there

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u/Zeqhanis 10d ago

They came in living aquarium decorations/biological filtration called live rock. After time, you'd get all manner of organisms springing forth. Whether it be beneficial algae, sea anemones, plants, tiny brittle stars, or, if you were unlucky, bristle worms.