Stunned fishing fanatic drags mystery beast with brutal sting from the sea

TERRIFYING footage shows the moment a stunned angler confronts a freaky sea creature whose sting can cause hours of agonising pain.

Alyssa Ramirez landed the bizarre beast while fishing with her mother at Port Isabel, Texas - but initially thought she had pulled up a piece of seaweed when she reeled in her catch.

The creature, which was initially mistaken for a piece of seaweed, was revealed by experts to be a bearded firewormCredit: Credit: Pen News/Alyssa Ramirez

A bearded fireworm's sting can cause hours of agonising pain, inducing dizziness and nausea by touching its sharp needle-like bristlesCredit: Credit: Pen News/Alyssa Ramirez

But to her horror, she then she saw the beast squirming.

Alyssa commented: “When I didn't feel any bites I assumed the fish had taken my bait – squid – and I reeled in my line to re-bait the hook.

“At first glance I thought I snagged some seaweed. Then I laughed because that was definitely not a fish, nor seaweed. It was like an oversized earthworm ready for combat.”

After pulling up her line, Ms Ramirez filmed the creature squirming on the pier decking.

The creature’s dangerous bristles can be seen fanning in and out as its red and white body writhes on the floor.

“It had the movement of a worm but with prickly spikes with red tips,” she added.

“I was extremely curious about it – I'm a marine life enthusiast – so I decided to record it and snap a few pictures, and send them to the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department."

Experts believe the catch could be a bearded fireworm – and if so Ms Ramirez should count herself lucky that she didn’t touch it.

It carries a powerful neurotoxin, delivered through bristles that are capable of penetrating human skin.

The resulting wound is said to feel like it is on fire, with the pain lasting for hours and sometimes causing nausea and dizziness.

It usually only comes into contact with humans when touched by a careless swimmer.

The angler continued: “I've never seen anything like this before, the only thing close to it might be a sand eel I've caught before – they are much bigger but are not dangerous.”