Xmas tree worm rock

[SLPSS]

i currently have a fish only 55g tank. I am getting ready to start a 20g reef.I was wondering does any keep these cool worms?
if so what is the difficulty level?
if anyone has some pics can you post them please

 

[Greg Hiller]

I recommend you stay away from Xmas tree worm rock (serpulids living in live Porites coral heads). The Porites is easy to keep alive, but in my experience the worms are filter feeders that need extremely fine particulate food. Usually they don't get it, and they die off over a 6-12 month period. If you really want to try, you might try dosing one of the preserved phytoplanktons.

 

[jmeader]

I have to agree with Greg Hiller as well as note that in a fish only tank your lights are probably not enough for the coral.

 

[davelin315]

Very cool worms, but I agree. I've never had success with them long term, and if the porites doesn't do well, the worms will die.

 

[Chucker]

The same also goes for the parent colony in the wild- they tend to die off after a portion is collected, too.

 

[davelin315]

I didn't know that, that's the last time I ever buy some worm rock. Thanks for the tip, Chucker. By the way, I thought porites used to be illegal to collect, how did it make it's way into the hobby?

 

[davelin315]

That's a kind of worm that will survive in your tank. Porites often has a tube worm which has some sort of symbiotic relationship with the corals, and they are usually bright colors (reds, greens, blues, etc.). The worm you have is not dependent on the corals to live. Still a neat addition to your tank, though, in a few weeks, check out your sump and dark areas of the tank - you may have a lot more than just one on your liverock, I have hundreds in my sump which I am sure aid in water filtration.

 

[Grandczar]

Did you know that Spirobranchus can be found on many other corals than just Porites. In fact, they show the least amount of annual growth on Porites. The fastest growth rates were on Montastrea annularis and Diploria strigosa .

Spirobranchus depend on the coral to grow so they can too. Otherwise they or other "boring" worms are eventually "boring" into each other! Note: Dead corals are host to much more of these other worms.

This "boring" into each other exposes the Spirobranchus to pathogens and predators. Probally why they do not due well in our systems. Along with the lack of plankton.

side note: Spirobranchus can live up to 40 years. Longer than my tank will. Ya its glass... but what about the silicone.

For those still wandering!

Xmas tree worm = Spirobranchus

Food 4 Thought! HTH!!!

 

[NanoWind]

Well, On this liverock. I have this tiny calcerous tube worm w/ a bright red fan. Its tiny. about 1-3 mm. It is growing longer every few months, the tube worm that is. I think mines ok. But just sharing.

 

[Jawfishski]

Now wait a minute here. I've had some worm rock for 2+ years. Worms and porites doing very well. The porites have spread, and the worms seem to have increased in number. (I also have a tiny crab that lives in the rock, common to worm rock, but I don't know/recall the name.

Should I expect this to change?

 

[redneck]

I've had worm rock for a while too. Maybe the porities just have do be doing well. Maybe DT's helps.

 

[Greg Hiller]

Jawfish and Redneck,

I'm glad you guys are having success. You may have a lot of the fine suspended particles (or be adding them) that the worms need. In my own case the Porites grew quite well, but the number of worms slowly decreased.