Caught a bristle worm

[Magickiwi]

Originally Posted by Aquattro

No, I can't imagine that scenario at all. If I could, the water would be a much bigger risk (drowning), then the tangs (sharp blades), then the other bitey fish, then the euphyllia corals, because they wave around and sting, then if they picked up a rock, I'd be more concerned with them dropping it on their foot and breaking a toe, or the glass which then hits them causing a gapping wound and requiring stitches. THEN, I'd worry more about electricity and water (although I removed that above to prevent risk of drowning) and then the rocks and acros are sharp.
Only after all of the above would I worry about a bristle worm, which, BTW, don't sting, they can release tiny bristles that, on the worse day, are slightly annoying and might teach my kid to keep her frekin' hands out of my tank like I said in the first place.

Just be honest here, you're squeamish and don't like worms and you're using the kid story as an excuse.

Don't think you know what went through my mind. Truth is I have a worm farm in my storage room I use for composting and fertilizer. I've owned snakes, snails, ants, etc. I'm not squeamish about anything except human waste and spiders.

I'm not going to quibble over which word is correct to use to indicate the insertion of small syringe like barbs that contain poison. I think you're understating the sensation a bit too. I haven't been stung by one in my tank yet but I have been stung a couple times while snorkeling and it hurt like hell.

You're a worm fanboy and that's just swell and honestly I couldn't care less about how you take care of your kids; which I'm sure is just fine and that they are great kids. My reason for taking the bristle worm out is what I said it is. If you don't like that then I guess you'll have to live with that.

[Aquattro]

Originally Posted by Magickiwi

Did you keep your poisonous cleaners like drain cleaner, etc. up out of reach with the cap on despite you telling them not to touch it?

And no, these are under the sink, protected by child proof locks that she's already hacked. Smart kid

[Misses.ReefWars]

Originally Posted by Magickiwi

So as a parent of four girls you can't imagine any scenario where they would reach into the tank without your knowledge or permission? Do you keep the top bolted on? You never do tank maintenance with them around? Do you have any rock in your sump? Is that within reach? When they were 2 did they understand and hear everything you told them and subsequently never did anything ill-advised? Did you keep your poisonous cleaners like drain cleaner, etc. up out of reach with the cap on despite you telling them not to touch it?

It was a stupid question and a smart-a** comment to boot. No I do not LET her play in the tank but it's my job to think of things that could happen and prevent them. You do your parenting, I'll take care of mine.

k please don't take offence, but children do what you allow them to do, yes you can do everything in your power to prevent things happening but then your teaching them wrong from right very off course, children need to learn repeatedly that no is no, no tolerance for it, or they will do it and they will persist with other mischief as well, having everything child proofed to the tits isn't good either still teaching them that they wont learn for themselves i agree with brad on that note, i mean of course do your best to protect them, but to the point where they are sissies and turn to you later down the road for approval on a problem they somehow were unable to solve themselves due to being over protected or not disciplined.... just sayn'......

[Rogue951]

Originally Posted by Magickiwi

With all due respect that is kind of a stupid question. I am making a guess but you don't have kids? Putting a bristle worm within reach of a child is a risk I can easily mitigate by removing said bristle worm. Would you do the same for your daughter? I don't let her play within arms reach of poison ivy or nettles etc. either.

I think you're overreacting to his question, which is completely valid.
Why WOULD any child be grabbing at rockwork INSIDE a tank?
and bristle worms hide inside rock so even a passing grab at a rock (unless around feeding or after lights out) wouldn't result in a bristle worm sting.

Consider the barriers involved to get to the worm (tank cover, tank, water, rockwork) It would take some work for a child to get contact with a bristle worm.

[kien]

If you are concerned about the bristle worms then you should go after the rest of them. If your girls are prone to mischief and will handle live rock then it is definitely a valid concern if you don't want your girls getting bristles in their fingers. There are guaranteed to be more in your rock work. You should take your rocks out and nuke them. Either dry them out on your deck or give them a vinegar bath to be sure to nuke all the bristle worms.

[jorjef]

Like sands through an hour glass............

[Magickiwi]

Originally Posted by kien

If you are concerned about the bristle worms then you should go after the rest of them. If your girls are prone to mischief and will handle live rock then it is definitely a valid concern if you don't want your girls getting bristles in their fingers. There are guaranteed to be more in your rock work. You should take your rocks out and nuke them. Either dry them out on your deck or give them a vinegar bath to be sure to nuke all the bristle worms.

I already ordered some traps. I'm going to bait them and see if I get any more. I know it's almost a certainty that there are more but I'll verify that before getting drastic. She's also got her own tank that she helps take care of etc. that I'll investigate.

[jorjef]

Helicopter.....

[SanguinesDream]

Originally Posted by Magickiwi

I already ordered some traps. I'm going to bait them and see if I get any more. I know it's almost a certainty that there are more but I'll verify that before getting drastic. She's also got her own tank that she helps take care of etc. that I'll investigate.

My daughter has her own tank too and this past weekend, just rearranged her rock work and frags, and I totally forgot about the bristleworms.

Luckily, she didn't get stung but now I feel like a neglectful arse because I didn't even think about that. I don't take precautions when working with my tank and am probably not setting a very good example of precautionary measures.

Thanks for the reminder.

[Magickiwi]

Originally Posted by SanguinesDream

My daughter has her own tank too and this past weekend, just rearranged her rock work and frags, and I totally forgot about the bristleworms.

Luckily, she didn't get stung but now I feel like a neglectful arse because I didn't even think about that. I don't take precautions when working with my tank and am probably not setting a very good example of precautionary measures.

Thanks for the reminder.

I never intended to make you feel like that so I apologize. It's something I try to stay aware of but clearly others feel there's no need to so the truth is likely somewhere between.

It's amazing what can hide in your aquarium, sometimes in plain sight. I bought a mille colony at a LFS and even though I was able to peer right into the colony I somehow missed the two commensal crabs living there. I didn't even know they were there until one croaked and was being lugged around by a hermit.