Please ID these fan-like hitchhikers!

[wayside]

I just bought some live rock to cycle in my new tank and noticed some feather-fan like things on the rock. They seemed to come out when the light was on. We noticed a LOT of red ones - they closed into tubes. There was also a big tan one that also closed, but not into a tube. It seemed to have white speckles on it. Now these were all very small but I would like to know what they are before they get out of hand.

 

[WRASSER]

they look like feather dusters, they are not a bad thing. they come with the live rock and are filter feeders.

 

[wayside]

is it common for feather dusters to come on live rock and how big do they get? I'm just a little paranoid of aiptasia. As a new reefer, I've been reading about them a lot. I hope these really are feather dusters and that they play nice

 

[MartinE]

They are feather duster worms, have several that came on my live rock and yes they do play nice-harmless filter feeders enjoy

 

[Sugar Magnolia]

http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2003-05/rs/index.htm

 

[SnowManSnow]

they definitly ARENT apastias NO worries from these guys.

B

 

[Mihai]

Keepers!
M.

 

[WRASSER]

they really dont need much food to be added. the tank usually has enough in it from feeding thee fish and all. easy to keep

 

[mike90]

is there anything that will eat a feather duster? i had a tube like feather duster on one of my rocks and now he is gone and no where to be found? i have hermits in my tank. do they eat them?

 

[WRASSER]

It could have but unlikely depending on what kind of hermit you have. What kind of fish do you have in the tank. another possiblity is it moved to another location.

 

[Mihai]

I suspect my brittle stars for some missing feather dusters of mine. But I have no proof. Either that or emerald crabs. All sorts of non-reef safe fish will eat them (angels, butterflies, etc.).

M.

 

[mike90]

i do have one brittle star and i also have emeralds. so they could have gotten to it. there is still the possibility that it moved and i just havent seen it yet. i'll keep a look out.

when it says that a live stock is not reef safe, what exactly does that mean? does it mean it will pick away at the LR?

 

[WRASSER]

i have seen triggers and six line wrasse eat them