Feather Duster Help

[mike007]

Hi all,
I have (or maybe HAD) a feather duster in my 90 gal tank and I got up this morning and i couldn't see my feather duster's crown inside it's tube/shell. That has never happened before and while I was feeding my fish I saw the crown stuck in my K4 powerhead! Did my worm just loose it's crown because of "severe stress"? (that's what I've read around) If so, who in my tank could be the culprit? This is what i have now:
Ocellaris Clown
Blue Hippo Tang
Orange Firefish X2
Skunk Cleaners X2
Blue leg hermits about 10-15

Those are the only ones that i can see causing any problem.
Is it possible that my worm died??
If he is still alive and just lost his crown, would i be able to see him inside the tube?

Thanks in advance,

[kevinpo]

Hello,
As the feathers become worn they are not as efficient at collecting plankton so they shed their crown and regrow a new one. This is most likely what has happened and it can be very difficult to see the worm inside the tube.

Regards,
Kevin

[mike007]

Hello,
As the feathers become worn they are not as efficient at collecting plankton so they shed their crown and regrow a new one. This is most likely what has happened and it can be very difficult to see the worm inside the tube.

Regards,
Kevin

Would a worn crown have very thin "feathers"? Mine had its feathers all thin and each feather did not have that brushy look. how long would it take to grow the crown back and what can i do to help? (ca, mg, alk, iodine, etc)?

Thanks a ton Kevin,

[mike007]

I saw the Worm inside the tube!! I can kind of see it's head(or at least what i call it's head)

Is it Possible to target feet it If it doesn't have a crown?

PROGRESS!!!!

[Steve McKay]

I would presume it would need it's crown to collect food.I would also not try to feed it while it's in it's tube,you may stress it.Even if it had it's crown and was out direct feeding can be hard,if it senses any large food items it will withdraw into it's tube.The best way is to either stir up some detritus from the sand bed carefully or feed it food meant for corals by just pouring it into an area of high flow in the tank.

[mike007]

Any suggestions on what food? Maybe Phytoplankton? It usually would catch a brine shrimp or mysis from when i would feed my fish.

thanks again guys

[Steve McKay]

I didn't think that they would eat food items that large being filter feeders,are you sure that it is actually eating them?Read post 5 again.

[mike007]

I didn't think that they would eat food items that large being filter feeders,are you sure that it is actually eating them?Read post 5 again.

Well, I have seen it catch a brine and bring it to the center. I'm not sure if it ate it though. How long would it take for the crown to grow back?

[Steve McKay]

That I don't know,I've had both dusters and coco worms but never lost a crown probably a few weeks.

[mike007]

Ok. Thanks a lot Steve

Anyone else know?

[kevinpo]

Hello,
The typical Featherduster eats phytoplankton. They will regrow their crown in a couple of weeks and do not need to be fed during that time. A small amount of live phytoplankton added in front of a tank circulation pump a few times a week will benefit other tank inhabitants as well.

HTH,
Kevin

[mike007]

Ok. Will do Kevin. thanks

[Redman]

Good day guys.
Great thread-timely as Both my dusters seem to have lost their crown last night-they were bought and put into the tank yesterday-I dripped for a couple hrs and they settled in well -or so I thought.

This am both were head less with only 1 plume visible.

I have anemones and feed them zoolife every other day-would thiss be sufficient food for these dusters?


Thanks

[Steve McKay]

Good day guys.
Great thread-timely as Both my dusters seem to have lost their crown last night-they were bought and put into the tank yesterday-I dripped for a couple hrs and they settled in well -or so I thought.
This am both were head less with only 1 plume visible.
I have anemones and feed them zoolife every other day-would thiss be sufficient food for these dusters?
Thanks

Food for filter feeders will be fine.If they lost their crowns I would check your nitrates,they don't like high nitrates.

[Redman]

Thanks Steve,
sorry for the long response-was on the road.
My nitrates tested at zero-
I acclimatised as instructed on another thread.
As of now neither of them has re emerged
Will keep you informed.

Thanks again

Joe

[Steve McKay]

Thanks Steve,
sorry for the long response-was on the road.
My nitrates tested at zero-
I acclimatised as instructed on another thread.
As of now neither of them has re emerged
Will keep you informed.

Thanks again

Joe

It could take a few weeks for them to grow another crown.How did you acclimate them?

[Redman]

Let the bag float in the aquarium for about 30 mins,
Then dripped it for about 90 mins-(actually dozed off)
Emptied the bag 3/4 and repeated the drip.
Floated the bag for a bit to equalize temps,
And sank the bag to keep the FD in the water and placed them
They opened up and next day they popped their cork.

I hope this was cool.


Later

[Steve McKay]

Let the bag float in the aquarium for about 30 mins,
Then dripped it for about 90 mins-(actually dozed off)
Emptied the bag 3/4 and repeated the drip.
Floated the bag for a bit to equalize temps,
And sank the bag to keep the FD in the water and placed them
They opened up and next day they popped their cork.

I hope this was cool.


Later

What was your nitrate level when you put them in?

[Redman]

Steve Im not at home to get the secifics, but the nitrates tested on the second lowest level-ie just above zero.

They havent come baxk out and I have 2 other larger FDs that are now a week old and seem to be cool.


Later

[Steve McKay]

Steve Im not at home to get the secifics, but the nitrates tested on the second lowest level-ie just above zero.

They havent come baxk out and I have 2 other larger FDs that are now a week old and seem to be cool.


Later

Give them time.It's possible that they have left their tubes and are making new ones.Only time will tell.I'm glad the others are doing well.