{"id":55009,"date":"2025-01-29T07:31:37","date_gmt":"2025-01-29T07:31:37","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/peraltafinancing.com\/aquarium\/mates-diseases-size-and-diet\/"},"modified":"2025-01-29T07:31:37","modified_gmt":"2025-01-29T07:31:37","slug":"mates-diseases-size-and-diet","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/fivemor.com\/?p=55009","title":{"rendered":"Mates, Diseases, Size and Diet"},"content":{"rendered":"


\n<\/p>\n

\n
\n
\"A<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n
\n
\n

Quick Facts<\/strong> \"\"\/<\/p>\n

\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Scientific Name:<\/strong><\/td>\nSabellidae sp<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Other Names \/\u00a0 Common Species:<\/strong><\/td>\nFan Worm, Hawaiian, Dwarf, Royal, Yellow, Coco Feather duster worm<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Lifespan:<\/strong><\/td>\n1-2 years<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Size:<\/strong><\/td>\n3-6in diameter<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Care:<\/strong><\/td>\nEasy but vulnerable to copper<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Diet:<\/strong><\/td>\nZooplankton\/phytoplankton, rotifer cultures, and water algae<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Water Parameters:<\/strong><\/td>\n72-83F, 8.1-8.2pH, 8-12dKH, 1.024-1.026SG<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Tank Size:<\/strong><\/td>\n10+ gallons<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Behavior:<\/strong><\/td>\nDocile and passive<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Breeding Difficulty:<\/strong><\/td>\nLow \u2013 broadcast spawners.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

The Feather Duster Worm won\u2019t be cleaning your tank but it will be improving its appearance and contribute to the overall ecosystem as a natural filter feeder. These delicate guys are low maintenance and can share the space with many reef safe fish.<\/p>\n

Just make sure to stay away from a few predators that could easily make your worm a snack. In this guide you\u2019ll learn everything you need to keep your Feather Duster Worm healthy from feeding, to diseases and prevention.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Don\u2019t forget to check the sections on your worm coming out of the tube and confusing it with sea anemones. Let\u2019s dive in!<\/p>\n

\n
\n

Species Summary<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Believe it or not, it is a distant cousin of the common earthworm that\u2019s often spotted along terrestrial gardens and walkways, the Feather Duster Worm (Sabellidae sp.<\/em>) is known as a sea-dwelling member of the annelid phylum \u2013 that includes all those segmented worms we know and love like leeches and bristle worms, etc.<\/p>\n

This tiny saltwater worm even has the same segmented anatomy as its land-loving cousin once you get a closer look!<\/strong>\u00a0<\/p>\n

However, most people are too distracted by the feathery, mane-like crown that gives this ornate worm its name to notice little details. Aside from being quite beautiful and distinctive, this gill-like crown actually helps the Feather Duster Worm to draw plankton and bacteria toward its mouth. The Feather Duster Worm is sometimes called the Fan Worm.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

Author Note: <\/strong>The Feather Duster Worm is generally considered a peaceful tank citizen. As filter feeders, Feather Duster Worms will spend the majority of their time hidden within their tubular bodies while waiting for food particles to drift toward them.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n
\n

When will my duster worm come out?<\/strong>\u00a0<\/h4>\n

When feeling stressed or attacked. That\u2019s when your worm might get a little more active, trying to find a safer spot. We\u2019ll talk about that more in just a bit!<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

\n
\n

Appearance and Types<\/strong><\/h2>\n

A Feather Duster Worm resembles a living feather duster! The bodies of these worms consist of feather-like tentacles called radioles. Coloration can be pink, purple, yellow, tan, or golden and even white.<\/p>\n

Don\u2019t count on making eye contact with your new Feather Duster Worm! These eyeless, faceless worms rely exclusively on their sensory skills to respond to light and motion, and water movement to navigate their environment.. In fact, you\u2019ll see a worm\u2019s tentacles retract instinctively whenever an object comes near its body.<\/p>\n

There are two core varieties of Feather Duster Worms found in aquariums.\u00a0<\/p>\n

    \n
  1. Sabellid Feather Duster Worm<\/strong>. Sabellids use mud, sand, debris, and glue-like mucus secretions to build tubes. As natural engineers, these crafty worms can actually construct new tube \u201chomes\u201d in a matter of hours!<\/li>\n
  2. Serpulid Feather Duster Worm<\/strong>. Serpulids have a talent for building hard, chalky tubes. They prefer coral, live rock, and other hard surfaces when making homes. It can be quite fascinating to watch them secure their bodies to hard surfaces by secreting sticky, glue-like acid.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
    \n
    \n

    Lifespan<\/strong><\/h2>\n

    A typical Feather Duster Worm will have a lifespan of 1 to 2 years<\/strong>. Like all aquarium creatures, Feather Duster Worms require quality water conditions to thrive.<\/p>\n

    Your feathery friend may give you a clue that all is not right in the tank by shedding its radioles. Consider this a warning sign that you need to stabilize tank conditions.\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

    \n
    \n

    My worm has lost its crown, what do I do?\u00a0<\/strong><\/h4>\n

    Don\u2019t panic. Feather Duster Worms will regenerate new radioles within a few weeks as long as they have healthy living conditions.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

    \n
    \n

    Average Size<\/strong><\/h2>\n

    While the Feather Duster Worm\u2019s crown gives this critter a larger-than-life appearance, this will be a very tiny addition to your tank. The average diameter size of a Feather Duster Worm is 3 to 6 inches.<\/strong> Most grow to be 2 inches to 2.5 inches in length.\u00a0<\/p>\n

    There is a type of worm called the Giant Feather Duster that can grow up to 8 inches in diameter.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

    \n
    \n

    Feather Duster Worm Care<\/strong><\/h2>\n

    Feather Duster Worms aren\u2019t especially choosy when it comes to tank conditions. However, they are vulnerable to copper in the same way that most reef invertebrates are.\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

    Water Parameters<\/strong><\/h3>\n