Feather Duster Questions

They're usually fairly easy to care for, at least that's been my experience. You might want to keep an eye on that angel. Both my Coral Beauty and my Flame were never coral nippers, but they would eat my feather dusters. They destroyed a beautiful Coco Worm on me.

For $8, it's definitely worth it to find out if yours behaves with them or not.

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Originally Posted by Siptang

Also how long do they usually live?

 

What species of Feather Duster?  It can vary from a few months to several centuries.

I had one that lived for a 1 1/2 years. The last 6 month it lost its top, I thought it was dead then a new one grew back, about a month later it lost it again and never recovered. My cause of death was probably high nitrates. Feeding I used to squirt it once a day with liquid coral food, don't remember what type, probably by Kent. That was one of the major brands back in the day.  

Quote:

Originally Posted by Siptang 

bang guy - that's a good question...

 

How about like this one?

 

Seems like the most common ones that I see at my LFSs.

That one (Sabellastarte spectabilis) is a Bristleworm commonly called the Giant Hawaiian Feather Duster.  In the wild it could live for centuries.  It is basically immortal and will only die if preyed upon, starves, or it's environment is inhospitable.
 

Yep that is the one I killed. Nothing is immortal in my tank.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bang Guy 

 

 

What species of Feather Duster?  It can vary from a few months to several centuries.

I have had a few of the "Hawaiian Dusters" (brownish ones)   I have had one in my 54G since the end of 2008

I have NEVER been able to keep one longer then a couple of months in the 225G

I had a pink dwarf in the 28 cube.....lasted a couple of months.....then I had a Hawaiin in the same tank....after a couple of months it blew its crown......came back out....and then I have not seen it again

SOOO what I guess I am trying to say is.....I think it all depends on the tank...

These dusters are huge and great in the tanks! As mentioned, watch the Angel.

Care:

Feather Duster is easy to maintain owing to its non-poisonous nature.

• High levels of Nitrates and Copper in your marine aquarium may be harmful for the health of the duster.
• Any compromise in the water quality may adversely affect the well being of Feather Duster - Hawaiian. Therefore, keep your marine aquarium clean and allow the ailing aquarium members to recuperate in a separate quarantine tank.
• Aggressive inmates of your aquarium may hurt the Sabella species. Therefore, keep the worm with the peaceful tank members only.

Feeding & Nutrition: The Sabella species is Planktivorous in feeding habit and filter feeds upon microscopic zooplankton and phytoplankton.

• When its time for it to feed, Duster spreads its fan completely to capture food. The fan filters out the food particles from the water current and directs them towards the mouth of the Sabella species.
• Add liquid organic foods to the water as dietary supplements for Feather Duster.
• Breeding: The Sabella species do not reproduce in our aquariums.
• Benefits: By feeding on planktons present in the aquarium water, the  Duster helps keep the water clean of organic food particles, which would otherwise rot and contaminate the water.

Sorry, looked alot into these dusters, I too like them. Getting on soon, hopefully. You should look into the cluster duster. Cool.

Hey Sip, here is my take on feathers any other type of filter feeders. We keep our tanks to clean for there proper feeding, so you must hand feed them several times a day small amount so not to pollute the entire tank. That is the problem with my reef at the present time, I was feeding the entire tank twice a week with a heavy dose of rod's and phytoplankton. Every since I traded of 6 of my plate corals my PH has been low. All my other readings are correct, so it has to be the uneaten food producing a high carbon dioxide. So my thought is if you are going to keep filter feeds you should have a few of them this will make it easier to feed and keep your tank healthy.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Siptang 

 I see.. I'm learning so much from here. I wish I can just find a cheap one now to try.

Cheap one and salt water fish is like military intelligence, both are myths.