Bristleworms or fireworm?

[Silly clownfish]

I recently found that the bottom of the overflow on my 75g (typical reef-ready, single overflow) was teaming with what I assumed were bristleworms. With long gloves on, I was able to use a net and remove over cup of them - that doesn’t include water, but actually above the 1 cup line on a 4 cup measuring cup. It was nightmarishly ugly. My arms above the gloves ended up with an itchy rash without having directly touched the worms or water.

There are still some worms in the rocks and fuge. I got a picture of larger one and want to verify that it is just a bristleworm.

I’m getting itchy red bumps on my hands and arms just from putting them in the tank. Wondering if I am just extra sensitive. I do have a shellfish allergy.

 

[kitti-fish]

This might help

 

[winzig]

they look like bristle to me

 

[Silly clownfish]

Thanks all. I feel a little better about that. Behbior-wise, they are not threatening corals or fish. I just thought the bristles looked a little fuzzier than I was seeing in pics.

The population does seem to be way down.

 

[nautical_nathaniel]

That looks like a regular bristleworm to me. I actually like having these little guys in my tank, really underrated CUC member in my opinion.

Good news is that either worm is somewhat easy to control with a little effort or the right wrasse.

 

[get-salty]

Either one.. leave it alone. Wear gloves when maintaining your tank