Feather Duster Worms

[jules312]

I just got a feather duster worm and was wondering if there is anything special I should do when I place it in the tank. Should I just set it on the sand or try to dig the base into the substrate? Or can they move on their own and it will sort it out itself?

[hypertech]

Mine don't move. Wedge it in a rock somewhere so it doesn't blow away.

They like some flow but not real high flow.

[lottie_pufferfish]

If its the type with the soft tubes, they preffer to be in the sand. Also, this prevents hermitcrabs from picking holes in the soft tube.

[Adam G]

I have mine buried in the sand. I think they like it thee because they have reproduced and I have about a thousand babies growing all around one of the worms.

[NHGJesusFreak]

I was at petco the other day, and a hermit crab had bugged a feather duster so much that it was out of its tube... It was weird looking... I wonder if it could crawl back in its tube, or if it was just going to end up dying there?

[Jim E.]

My observations are emperic, based only on my experience. Individual mileage may vary. If it doesn't like where it's at, they have been known to abandon their tubes, move to different spot on the substrate, & eventually build another tube if left unmolested. They've also been known to pop their top when stressed (it happens), but eventually they grow another "cap." If it's been in the tube for awhile & won't come out, just squeeze the proximal aspect near the base -- chances are, you'll feel it jump, in which case it's simply pissed & will likely emerge in another week or two. I place mine at the bottom where the LR meets the substrate, as they seem to prefer anchoring to something solid.

[NHGJesusFreak]

So, could that feather duster worm been taken home, placed in the tank, and lived to filter another day?

[Jim E.]

Theoretically, anything is possible. Personally, I wouldn't. Even though I have what I think is a reasonably balanced, established system today, my charity does not extend to marine "rescue." IMO, it is not fair to the demonstrably-stressed organism, nor to my other citizens. It would die & screw things up.

[wes]

Theoretically, anything is possible. Personally, I wouldn't. Even though I have what I think is a reasonably balanced, established system today, my charity does not extend to marine "rescue." IMO, it is not fair to the demonstrably-stressed organism, nor to my other citizens. It would die & screw things up.

additionally, anytime you buy a dying specimen, it does nothing to discourage the retailer from whatever it may or may not have done in the collection/housing of that specimen. Let it hurt them in their pocketbook and they will make changes for less loss.
I'm not saying you were going to support them or the like, but just an FYI kinda thingy.

I've had a feather duster that's dropped it's head twice--once when I moved it and once after a kalk overdose, both times it regrew rather quickly, just provide great waterquality and no predators...

[NHGJesusFreak]

Yeah, I figured. I didn't actually buy it or anything, I was just curious about other people's opinions.