live rock gave me major major slivers!

krisolson · 03-23-2001, 05:41 PM

Ok, I just got my live rock and was dipping it in fresh water (not cured) and after I was done, I had about 200 little clear slivers on my fingers! They were like little pieces of glass. Anybody know what the heck they are?

horge · 03-23-2001, 08:16 PM

Yo fargo,

In all likelihood, you accidentally laid hold of a polychaete "bristle" worm while handling the rock.

The "chaete" in "polychaete" refers to the the bristles or spines that these worms arm themselves with, and can contain certain amounts of irritating toxin. The often barbed spines are mostly proteinaceous, so dipping in vinegar won't dissolve them.
Tweezer time, I'm afraid.
Some swelling is normal, but if it gets out of hand and a fever develops, see a doctor.

I myself have been porcupined by glass sponges, funky-looking chitons, and the odd sea urchin: Welcome to the club!

from the pincushion of the reefing world,
horge

Doug1 · 03-23-2001, 11:16 PM

Another suggestion is get a bottle of Elmers School glue, with the orange popup top and squirt it over the infested area, let it dry and peel it off pulling most of the bristles with it

MontanaRocknReefer · 03-23-2001, 11:41 PM

Hi! Most definitely that was a bristle worm that got you because I have had the same thing happen to me. Just like fiberglass and it is not pleasant!!! Johnny

Alice · 03-24-2001, 02:12 AM

Bristleworm Spine Removal Tactic #3:

Soak your hand in a warm bowl of water with a generous helping of meat tenderizer in it. You'll smell like you've been marinating but it works

~Alice

ivet · 03-24-2001, 12:42 PM

hope your hand gets better!

I have been pretty good with not being stung or bitten (cross fingers), but I've had my fair share of electrocution to make up for it!

Alice · 03-24-2001, 03:57 PM

LOL Doug; do you need to go to reeftank bootcamp to toughen up?

C'mon, a little zap now and then livens up your day and puts curl in your hair! Hehehehe!

krisolson · 03-24-2001, 04:52 PM

You will all be happy to know that I used the tweezer route right away, it took a long time though. Thanks for letting me know. I used a washcloth to put the rock into the tank just in case it happened again, but everything was fine. Those darn bristleworms! Thanks again

Doug1 · 03-25-2001, 01:20 AM

EEEEEEWWWWWWWWWW I have been stung,slashed,bitten,etc but the day I get a nasty shock in SW someone will have a chance at a reef tank CHEAP