Bristle worm question

**Victoria** · 04-26-2006, 08:16 PM

Ok i've seen alot, but I have never seen this. I was at the school helping with their small saltwater tank. They had so many bristle worms and big ones too, because they were overfeeding. I was removing them with tweezers. One came out of the rocks and spewed pink stuff at me. I had not touched this one yet. It did it several times. Has anyone ever seen this before?
Victoria

***Rob*** · 04-26-2006, 08:53 PM

wow.. cant say i have ever seen that one before.. interesting

**Victoria** · 04-26-2006, 10:11 PM

it was wild. I hope its not toxic to the tank. Could it be a protection device?
Victoria

**kj_yoda** · 04-27-2006, 10:08 AM

Most likely is some sort of defense mechanism.

**CarmieJo** · 04-29-2006, 12:07 AM

Too weird.

**Reefbaby** · 05-11-2006, 04:49 PM

I had something a while back in my tank that would spew stuff up every so often, but I never could see what it was that was causing it. It usually happened when I had my hands in the tank and was cleaning or something....could be the same thing maybe!

**fat walrus** · 05-11-2006, 04:59 PM

Originally Posted by Reefbaby

I had something a while back in my tank that would spew stuff up every so often, but I never could see what it was that was causing it. It usually happened when I had my hands in the tank and was cleaning or something....could be the same thing maybe!

is it not true that certain types specialize in boring through clam shells and coral skeletons. if so, could it possibly be a type of solvent?

**AdamJ** · 05-11-2006, 07:48 PM

not some kind of solvent.....

the three plausible options i have found are:
1. when threatend etc, its a great time to expell fecal waste.
2. eject reproductive bits (eggs are commonly redish in tube wrms)
3. eject stomach contents... (least plausible in my mind)

**fat walrus** · 05-11-2006, 08:42 PM

any possibility that stomach contents can act like a solvent? i'm paranoid and a science fiction fan.

**AdamJ** · 05-11-2006, 08:55 PM

no....not any more than a selection enzymes out of our intestines.

it is a simple tube stomach like a garden hose.... they excrete enzymes and absorb the byproducts thru the tube walls...

**fat walrus** · 05-11-2006, 09:16 PM

thanks AdamJ. i can now put my hand in the tank without fear of impending searing pain. but somehow you got me to start thinking about my intestines......didn't i tell you i was a science fiction fan? lol.