Feather duster or something else?

FakeValtteri · Dec 5, 2022

I need some help identifying a hitchhiker. When I brought the white level up for a photo, the tendrils pulled back into the tube. Just need to know if it’s something I should remove for my tank. Thanks!

ISpeakForTheSeas · Dec 5, 2022

Looks likely that it's a feather duster based on the tube. To be safe, though, did it have lots of tendrils that flared out into a little circle, or just two tendrils? If it has just two tendrils or if it sends out a mucus net rather little tentacle-like appendages, I'd suggest removing it. If it sends out the little circle, it's a feather duster and I'd say to keep it.

FakeValtteri · Dec 5, 2022

ISpeakForTheSeas said:
Looks likely that it's a feather duster based on the tube. To be safe, though, did it have lots of tendrils that flared out into a little circle, or just two tendrils? If it has just two tendrils or if it sends out a mucus net rather little tentacle-like appendages, I'd suggest removing it. If it sends out the little circle, it's a feather duster and I'd say to keep it.

There are two tendrils that come out and they are both real fine and circular

kasala · Dec 5, 2022

hoid said:
There are two tendrils that come out and they are both real fine and circular

I just got one of these. It sounds like it's a Dwarf Colored Feather Duster Tube Worm. Are the dusters red and white? It's hard to tell in your pic.

My understanding is they're harmless and I personally think pretty darn cool. Makes me think of The Lorax or something. I kind of want a "forest" of them.

It won't venture out of it's tube (I guess it can't?) and gathers its nutrients direct from the water column with the dusters when they're out.

My checkerboard wrasse was the only fish that seemed to be offended by it. it exerted its dominence a bit initially by shoving its snout down the tube and broke off some of the white part and now just leaves it alone.

I'm not sure if I can post links but I'm going to try here - https://www.liveaquaria.com/product/750/?pcatid=750

ISpeakForTheSeas · Dec 5, 2022

hoid said:
There are two tendrils that come out and they are both real fine and circular

If it's just two fine tendrils, it's likely a spionid worm. Sometimes they're totally fine to keep (they're filter feeders, so they won't hurt anything), but other sometimes they're known to spread fast and look quite unsightly in large numbers.

FakeValtteri · Dec 5, 2022

ISpeakForTheSeas said:
If it's just two fine tendrils, it's likely a spionid worm. Sometimes they're totally fine to keep (they're filter feeders, so they won't hurt anything), but other sometimes they're known to spread fast and look quite unsightly in large numbers.

Sorry, I didn't describe it well

There are what appear to be two separate tendrils that come out of the tube, but they both fan out to create a circle. So, there are essentially two small circles that appear to be made up of smaller tendrils. It's tough to get a good photo since they hide when I turn up the white levels. I'm pretty sure it's a feather duster based on your comments and photos, but I'll keep an eye on it.

ISpeakForTheSeas · Dec 5, 2022

hoid said:
Sorry, I didn't describe it well There are what appear to be two separate tendrils that come out of the tube, but they both fan out to create a circle. So, there are essentially two small circles that appear to be made up of smaller tendrils. It's tough to get a good photo since they hide when I turn up the white levels. I'm pretty sure it's a feather duster based on your comments and photos, but I'll keep an eye on it.

Yeah, that sounds more like a feather duster to me.