I Got Stung

[LISound]

by what i don't know.
i just started the tank about a month ago and only added live rock 3 days ago.
it stung for about 30 sec.---now nothing.
there is a little sting mark and swollen around it.
kinda of like a bee sting.

i was adjusting one of the pieces of live rock-humm.
i don't see anything of size in the water that could have done it.
there are only 2 damsels in the tank now and i just added bio spira?

any thoughts folks?

[tdwyatt]

It was most likely a bristle worm, but there are many, many, MANY, many creatures that use a sting of some sort to either defend themselves, capture food, or use as an aggressive tool that can show up in a reef tank. Some creatures leave either a bristle or barb of some kind in the wound, if so, ammonia a0plied with a cotton ball may hel ease continued pain. If it is still present in the wound, and you cannot remove, have your caregiver look at it. The spines of some sea urchins are barbed in such a way that they cannot be removed by pulling, so if it is a thick little barb, best to have someone else remove it (let them know if you have any urchins).


The sting of some cnidarians is the result of a nematocyst firing into sensitive skin, if you have continuing pain, the application of Adolph's meat tenderizer sometimes helps, but more often it is of little benefit by the time you can apply it to the sting.


Watch for excessive swelling or possible difficulty in breathing or redness and swelling that extends beyound the immediate area of the sting. These would be indicators for plssible allergic reaction to the sting and although it is unusual, it can happen. If you experience fever, chills, or any difficulty breathing or feel as if your airway is swelling, get someone to carry you to a Doc-in-the-Box or an ER as soon as you recognize the problem, and make sure to tell your attending what happened and that it involved a saltwater creature.

I hope you don't need this info (probably not), but just in case, I hope this helps.

[Peter]

Originally Posted by LISound

i was adjusting one of the pieces of live rock.

You should get a set of those long, funky, water-proof gloves.

They take about twenty minutes to put on and you look like a complete fool but they work well.

You will lose a little sensitivity when handling things but thats sort of the whole point.

[burkleman]

Hey sorry to hear. IMO if it had been a bristle worm the pain would have lasted much longer that 30 sec. it would have lasted like an hour or so. Also with bristle worms there sting is incredibly pain full like way worse than a wasp sting. but as to the other possibilities not sure.

[LISound]

i don't think i need the er but it did leave a little mark.
i pinched at it but nothing came out.
oh well.
i think i'll live.
what do bristle worms look like as i am very new to all this.

[burkleman]

here ya go it has some pics and lots of imfo.
http://www.wetwebmedia.com/bristlewmfaq3.htm

[icebear]

bristleworm stings feel a lot like fiberglass splinters to me....

[wharyat]

First time I was stung it hurt pretty bad, bristleworm was huge tho 4", lots of poison.

[TimmyG]

I scooped up a hand full of old shells that was full of
bristleworms....won't do that again...
My hand was soo swolen..I couldn't make a fist for a week.

Welcome to reef keeping ;-)


Timmy

[Doug1]

Bristleworm stings vary depending on species and individaul sensitivity. My experience is same as Icebears, feels like I have been playing with fiberglass insulation barehanded, your mileage may vary.
Time for one of my classic safety lectures, so bear with me.
For those of you that keep venomous fish or other dangerous organisms, make a list, icluding scietific name where possible, regular reefs can contain a slew of organisms that may have some nasty consequenses as well if ones hypersensitive. Instruct your spouse or significant other or whatever to send the list with the EMTs if you are ever found unconscious near the tank or in the throes of an anaphylactic shock fit. It might help figure out whats wrong with you

[wharyat]

Good idea, I know zoos contain a deadly neurotoxin wich was pretty surprising

[Doug1]

I really really recommend this if you keep any of the more potent scorpionedae, ie Pterois,Denderochyrus lions, stonefish, blue ring octopus, etc list em and tape it where it can easily be handed to EMTs

[wanareef]

LISound

If it wasn't a bristtle worm, there are a lot of sharp "stuff" on the LR and I have been stuck like this - no worm around to blame it on

[tdwyatt]

Originally Posted by Doug1

For those of you that keep venomous fish or other dangerous organisms, make a list, icluding scietific name where possible, regular reefs can contain a slew of organisms that may have some nasty consequenses as well if ones hypersensitive. Instruct your spouse or significant other or whatever to send the list with the EMTs if you are ever found unconscious near the tank or in the throes of an anaphylactic shock fit. It might help figure out whats wrong with you

EXCELLENT POST, DOUG!!!

I hadn't thought of the list, but that is prolly one of the best posts ever on the subject.

THANKEWVRYMUUCCCHHHH!!!!!!







...just how old WOULD Elvis have been this January???

[wharyat]

Wait... People actually keep blue ring octipi?? Won't that kill you in a few mins??