Fire/Bristle Worm

Description:

This Bristle Worm is also known as Fire Worm for the 'fire stings' that they gives from their bristle/setae. They are polychaete worms, belonging to the genus Chloeia. Members of this genus are morphologically characterized by an elliptical body composed of certain number of segments, depending on the species, with external gills situated on both lateral sides of the back, each segment has a pair of them. Their number and repartition also depends on the species. Lateral sides of the body are cover with fin, sharp and venomous whitish calcareous bristles or setae. Adults of this genus are often colorful especially on the dorsum.