Fire Worm or Bristle Worm

Description:

It is a segmented bristleworm belonging to the Family Amphinomidae, Class Polychaeta, Phylum Annelida. The polychaetes include bristleworms, and Phylum Annelida includes the more familiar earthworm. Many members of the Family Amphinomidae are known as fireworms because of the burning pain they produce when handled. About 10cm long. The worm is flat and broad with lots of elaborate hairy bristles along its sides, and a pattern of triangles or spots along the centre of the upper side of the body. According to Leslie Harris, the one with the circles in the centre of the segments is Chloeia flava. The other with triangles in the centre of the segments remains unknown.

Habitat:

It is said that these worms swarm at the surface during breeding season. Otherwise, they usually hide under stones and rocks.

Notes:

http://www.wildsingapore.com/wildfacts/w...