Featherduster dying?

[Tristren]

I got a Featherduster a couple of weeks ago.

It seemed to be settling in well. A saw the Filefish nip at it twice the first / second day, but not since, and it hasn't been missing any feelers. It has good flow where it is. And was popping in and out as it ate.

But I have noticed that little bits of the tube have been missing. And as of yesterday, this:

What should I do?

Tony

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

I've never see that. Lets bump it and #reefsquad it.

 

[ZachR32]

It might be getting bothered by the filefish more than you think. It's most likely going to rebuild its tube in a different spot

 

[Dsnakes]

I've heard of them losing the crown, but never the tube. Doesn't look good. I'm also interested in what is causing that.

 

[Tigweldpro]

Mine did this when i got it. Looks like exact type too. It left its tube found a place it liked and made a new tube. I dont have a filefish tho so this may be a different situation. Can you put the file in sump or breeder net for now?

 

[Tristren]

I've never see that. Lets bump it and #reefsquad it.

Thanks very much. I should have tagged it to start with I guess.

Unfortunately, although I still do very much want to find out what happened, it is now an after the fact question. The Featherduster is dead.

I liked it a lot, so would really like to know how to make sure it doesn't happen again.

There are a few other little Featherdusters in my tank that came as hitchhikers and are doing fine. Along with plenty of other inverts...

Quite sad about this one.


Tony

 

[Tristren]

While I'm sure it didn't help, I really don't think that the Filefish was still going after it. I never saw it do that again, and even after it died it was not missing any tips.

The end of the tube seemed to have been damaged though, and was curling in a bit. I am wondering if it got stuck?

 

[Tigweldpro]

Thanks very much. I should have tagged it to start with I guess.

Unfortunately, although I still do very much want to find out what happened, it is now an after the fact question. The Featherduster is dead.

I liked it a lot, so would really like to know how to make sure it doesn't happen again.

There are a few other little Featherdusters in my tank that came as hitchhikers and are doing fine. Along with plenty of other inverts...

Quite sad about this one.


Tony

From what i read about them they usually dont leave there tube to die... Could the file have pulled it out?

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

Sorry Tony.

All I can figure is an acclimation thing or survival thing.

 

[DSC reef]

Some type of stress would cause the worm to leave its tube but what would stress it is the question. Sorry for the loss. I was thinking acclimation as well @saltyfilmfolks

 

[Tristren]

Sorry Tony.

All I can figure is an acclimation thing or survival thing.

Yes, I suppose it may be just that. I just want to make sure that if/when I get another I give it the best chance for survival.

I know how really long lived many of the creatures we keep are in the wild.

When I removed it it had attached to the rock at the base, so that must have been a good sign?

I wonder if something else was bothering it as well, or if it really was the Filefish doing something...

 

[Tristren]

Some type of stress would cause the worm to leave its tube but what would stress it is the question. Sorry for the loss. I was thinking acclimation as well @saltyfilmfolks

Exactly.
I thought it seemed to be doing well. But really, would i actually know?

 

[Dsnakes]

Yes, I suppose it may be just that. I just want to make sure that if/when I get another I give it the best chance for survival.

I know how really long lived many of the creatures we keep are in the wild.

When I removed it it had attached to the rock at the base, so that must have been a good sign?

I wonder if something else was bothering it as well, or if it really was the Filefish doing something...

Tough to say at this point. I would imagine that attaching itself to the rock is a good sign though. Perhaps it was being bothered.

 

[jsker]

Stress and the file fish. If it is a matted filefish, the file fish thinks it is a apitasia and will eat it.

 

[DSC reef]

The file fish is a possibility for sure. If it was nipping and pieces of tube missing then that's not a good sign. We had a file fish that ate aptaisia but it decimated a large feather duster we had as well.

 

[S.O.MLemos]

I tried copying the link but Practicalfiskeeping.co.uk has a pretty good amount of info on them and I had the similar problem with mine last year and apparently it just did not like the location. Mine didn’t survive it’s attempted move though as my six line and CBB went after it. Hopefully yours makes it. Btw I’m fairly new to the hobby so I’m just trying to help from my experience and extensive studying

 

[Tristren]

From what i read about them they usually dont leave there tube to die... Could the file have pulled it out?

No, I saw it coming out and moving around. About halfway out.

 

[Tristren]

I tried copying the link but Practicalfiskeeping.co.uk has a pretty good amount of info on them and I had the similar problem with mine last year and apparently it just did not like the location. Mine didn’t survive it’s attempted move though as my six line and CBB went after it. Hopefully yours makes it. Btw I’m fairly new to the hobby so I’m just trying to help from my experience and extensive studying

Thanks very much, I'll definitely check that out.

 

[Tristren]

The file fish is a possibility for sure. If it was nipping and pieces of tube missing then that's not a good sign. We had a file fish that ate aptaisia but it decimated a large feather duster we had as well.

That's the thing, it was pretty far from decimated. No visible damage to the Crown.

 

[Tristren]

Stress and the file fish. If it is a matted filefish, the file fish thinks it is a apitasia and will eat it.

But wouldn't there be missing tips from the crown?