Feather Duster Out of Shell

[Salomlar]

Hi, one of my feather dusters jumped out of his shell last night.

Not sure why, as he was already attached and the three other dusters near his vacated shell still seem very happy.

Anyhow, the free worm appears to be trying to reform its shell (good), but other fish have started nipping at it and have almost severed the lower portion of the worm.

I tried burying the worm with tank sand, but he immediately wiggled back to the surface.

Any suggestions as to how I can protect the worm while it reforms its shell?

Thank you!
Seth

 

[SlugSnorter]

Hi, one of my feather dusters jumped out of his shell last night.

Not sure why, as he was already attached and the three other dusters near his vacated shell still seem very happy.

Anyhow, the free worm appears to be trying to reform its shell (good), but other fish have started nipping at it and have almost severed the lower portion of the worm.

I tried burying the worm with tank sand, but he immediately wiggled back to the surface.

Any suggestions as to how I can protect the worm while it reforms its shell?

Thank you!
Seth

put it back, it left due to stress wether from starvation, attacks or poor conditions. the fish will try and eat it if its out. check params, and check other worms. What do you feed them?

 

[Salomlar]

put it back, it left due to stress wether from starvation, attacks or poor conditions. the fish will try and eat it if its out. check params, and check other worms. What do you feed them?

Thanks!

How do I put it back in the shell? Just stuff it in?

I just let them eat the PE Mysis flakes that I feed the fish and whatever else floats by.

Since he left his shell, I've been directly feeding him Reef Roids.

All water parameters are fine.

 

[SlugSnorter]

Thanks!

How do I put it back in the shell? Just stuff it in?

I just let them eat the PE Mysis flakes that I feed the fish and whatever else floats by.

Since he left his shell, I've been directly feeding him Reef Roids.

All water parameters are fine.

gentley shove the first bit inside, it will do the rest slowly.

id recommend feeding live phyto or reef roids nearby them since they use larger particles to just build their shells

 

[Mr. Mojo Rising]

How do I put it back in the shell? Just stuff it in?

If you try it I hope you take a video and share

 

[Rick's Reviews]

My feather s have gone AWOL, I found one floaty crown (feathers) of one but nothing else of worm or 2nd crown, there's not much information I can find on feathers especially how long it takes to build tubes, requirements, I have just left them alone to find right place, I will be pleasently surprised if they appear one day. from research, they move just like anemone to find a better position of flow/lighting/ food source.
I think I just placed mine to make my aquarium more appealing however for this worm not the best position

 

[SlugSnorter]

My feather s have gone AWOL, I found one floaty crown (feathers) of one but nothing else of worm or 2nd crown, there's not much information I can find on feathers especially how long it takes to build tubes, requirements, I have just left them alone to find right place, I will be pleasently surprised if they appear one day. from research, they move just like anemone to find a better position of flow/lighting/ food source.
I think I just placed mine to make my aquarium more appealing however for this worm not the best position

poor params, lack of food or being attacked.


- just like anemone to find a better position of flow/lighting/ food source.

ehhh, they have no protection and often die in these tanks, they need particular foods and wont get them in that state. they will likely die to fish and inverts.

feed live phyto, that is by far the best bet food wise.

 

[Rick's Reviews]

poor params, lack of food or being attacked.


- just like anemone to find a better position of flow/lighting/ food source.

ehhh, they have no protection and often die in these tanks, they need particular foods and wont get them in that state. they will likely die to fish and inverts.

feed live phyto, that is by far the best bet food wise.

I think I lacked on the live food, I did provide the reef roids and phyto plankton, I positioned them where I wanted as per pics, for me to look at, I do add copepods for my mandarin (live), I have various crabs and snails, but nothing really botherd them, they was constantly out except after feeding my fish, I have 2 X clownfish and 2 X firefish

 

[Rick's Reviews]

Can you provide more information about feather dusters, do you have any? Any help will be much appreciated, I don't think these guys have died and I have only lost 1 red herit crab and maybe a snail since September, I do my best to keep life especially pulling a hair out of my clownfish mouth recently, so any help would be a great advantage not only to me but many others,. Thanks

 

[Rick's Reviews]

Thanks!

How do I put it back in the shell? Just stuff it in?

I just let them eat the PE Mysis flakes that I feed the fish and whatever else floats by.

Since he left his shell, I've been directly feeding him Reef Roids.

All water parameters are fine.

I think @SlugSnorter meant leave it alone lol, dont try to bury it

 

[Salomlar]

If you try it I hope you take a video and share

Stay tuned!

 

[xcountryx]

If it seems like its found a spot it likes I would try to protect it in that spot. I've made up little cages for nems and sorts out of that plastic knitting stuff. Not sure what it's called sry. This will keep critters and fish away from it while it rebuilds the tube.

 

[Salomlar]

If it seems like its found a spot it likes I would try to protect it in that spot. I've made up little cages for nems and sorts out of that plastic knitting stuff. Not sure what it's called sry. This will keep critters and fish away from it while it rebuilds the tube.

Thank you. This is what I've done. Little guy appears to be making good progress forming a new tube. Unfortunate he didn't want to live close to the other feathers. Maybe he is a loner.

 

[SlugSnorter]

Thank you. This is what I've done. Little guy appears to be making good progress forming a new tube. Unfortunate he didn't want to live close to the other feathers. Maybe he is a loner.

they dont like it cause its too much in one area for food to reach them all imo