Are Coco Worms Hard to Care For?

[Anonymous]

I see pictures of coco worms and think that they are quite beautiful.

I might have to consider getting one if they can be kept long term.

Can somebody gimme the skinny on these things.

Louey

 

[Rob Top]

skinny, not sure if I can do all that. I had one that lasted about 8 months. Tank was being feed DT's regularly, Ca levels where 450-500 and the coco showed about an inch of growth on its tube. Then one day I found a 12" long brisle worm crawling out of it's tube. Had no idea the worm was in my tank. Don't know if it killed the coco, or just ate once it was done which is probably the case. Don't really feel 8 months is a long time. Probably not much help huh

 

[Len]

I've only been able to keep them alive for about 18 months, usually about 12. I don't think I'll be trying them again, as pretty as they are.

 

[Anonymous]

Yeah, currently they are still one of those "rental" items in reef store.

 

[pwj1286]

I have alot of luck with feather dusters. I have a lot of smaller species popping up all over the place. My walls were once covered with them and they grow throw my green star polpys , they even were reguarded once that they made the tank ugly...

Would this help the coco worm? Seeing that I have great luck (took over my tank) with these smaller ones...would I have a better chance?
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global recession history

 

[Anonymous]

I understand your rationale. Keep in mind that filter feeder will compete for the same food source. When you add new filter feeder, the existing ones will suffer.

The metabolism of large feather duster and coco worm is very different from the "wild" worms in your tank. The little one has a shorter life cycle, and can adopt to the tank environment readily, and reproduce. However, it may not be the case for larger species.

I have a Porite coral with christmas tree worms in it for 6 years. They are relative of the coco worm. I will not try the coco, but YMMV.