Feather duster out of tube

[105man]

I guess it didn't like where the tube was, lodged between some rock. So, it's out.

Should I do anything?

There is a tang, a flame angel, blue devil damsel and a few other fish, shrimp, algae critters, lots of live rock and soft corals in the tank.

 

[cdeakle]

I found this on the web:

On rare occasions, the worm will leave its tube (usually in response to low oxygen levels), which will usually lead to death in a few days. Fan Worms require supplemental feeding with infusoria or foods designed for filter-feeding invertebrates.

Sounds like he is toast, sorry bro!

 

[taikonaut]

Ditto

 

[105man]

Maybe, but water conditions are excellent and no other problems with anything whatsoever.

And what happened was I was trying to move it and when I thought I was pulling the tube, it turned out I had the worm...it had been a little extended out of the tube, but then I pulled it all the way out.

 

[cdeakle]

Murderer!! 8O

 

[Anonymous]

If it was in good shape it would have easily "eluded" you (meaning it would have pulled itself as far into its tube as it could have). They do have a finite life span.. though I know it's definitely longer than a hamster.

 

[Anonymous]

This is funny, because I was going to post the same thing, but then just thought the feather duster was dead.

I have a 6 head cluster I shoved in a good spot between some rocks and they were all doing fine, until one jumped ship....but it was more like just the crown of the duster that I saw way down on the samd below.

I figured it was a gonner....this was a week or two ago.

Just today, I noticed a pure white feather crown coming from the tube that lost it's purple crown. It was not fully open, but rather kust poking out of the tube.

I'm hoping the worm just sheaded its crown and is now growing back a new crown that will develope in size and color over the next few weeks.


Good Luck

 

[Anonymous]

I had one shed and regrow it's crown recently too Manny. - After about 4 weeks of growth now it's looking great, doing as well as it was originally.

Go figure...

 

[Anonymous]

They shed their crowns on a regular basis, rather like birds molting their feathers. There are a few reasons for this - they're "worn" (best case scenario), or hungry, or otherwise too stressed.

 

[dizzy]

105,
If you pulled the worm out of its tube you may be able to slid it back in. I have been successful in doing this a number of times when I accidentally pulled the tube off selling them. It's a bit like senior sex. The rest is edited.

 

[Anonymous]

OHMYGOD! :lol:

 

[cdeakle]

:lol:

 

[hillbilly]

I have had them shed their tube, and regrow too,
so don't give it up for dead yet!