I have a HUGE bristleworm in my 90-gallon reef. I had posted about it some time ago giving it's size as about 1 1/2 feet long and 3/4" wide. That was several months ago and it has certainly grown, more in width than length. Something very strange occured with this worm. I am having to be out of town due to illness and therefore am traveling back home from time to time to do water changes, maintenance, etc. Someone else is caring for the tank while I am away (feeding, etc.). I have just returned from checking on the tank and doing a small water change. I did no other maintenance at the time. Immediately following the water change, the large worm seemed upset. He would curl around the rock and stick either his head or tail (couldn't tell which) in the water column and squirt out a very large amount of white, milky fluid. It was stringy and floated throughout the tank, making it even more cloudy than from the water change and this occured about 5-7 times in a row. There was a LOT of "stuff".
What on earth did this large bristleworm release? Do they release any types of toxins? Was this a defense mechanism? Is this a particular type of bristleworm? Any opinions welcome.
What on earth did this large bristleworm release? Do they release any types of toxins? Was this a defense mechanism? Is this a particular type of bristleworm? Any opinions welcome.
