Duster Colony Compatibility?

[cash1103]

I recently purchased a feather duster colony from a private seller. When I recieved it in the mail, most of the water had leaked out and the box smelled terrible. Of course, I think all of the dusters were dead but I acclimated and put the rock in my tank just in case. 2 days later and no signs of feather dusters. However, my scarlet hermits have been all over the rock and I think they've just about cleared the rock of the tubes (which were disentigrating anyway). So.....I have 2 questions:
1. I could possibly have a new colony sent if I pay shipping again. Were the hermits attracted to the dead worms or would they destroy a living colony? I also have a serpent and brittle star which I've heard might destroy the dusters?
2. I really like the look of all the small dusters in a tank. Do I have to get rid of all hermits and stars to have them?
I appreciate any advice you can offer.

 

[alyssia]

Do you mean like a duster cluster that they sell on this site? Cause I've tried two of those and my hermits devoured them the first night. I have the big dusters though and they never bother those.

 

[xdave]

They usually dont eat live ones. Use a regular sw shipper, transporting livestock is best left to the pros. It will be cheaper and more rewarding in the long run.

 

[alyssia]

Originally Posted by xDave
They usually dont eat live ones. Use a regular sw shipper, transporting livestock is best left to the pros. It will be cheaper and more rewarding in the long run.

A couple of other people on here told me that their hermits ate their clusters too. I know mine was alive cause I saw the worms spinning the feathers around.

 

[cash1103]

Yes, I do mean the clusters of small (nickel size) dusters. I think I'll stay away from them for now. Thanks for the info.

 

[mariner]

I have multiple dusters and at least 3 types of hermits and have had no problems.. Guess I just lucky

 

[merredeth]

In one of my tanks I have a duster and all kinds of crabs. No problems here with the blue or red legged crabs bothering him.
I've never seen either type of crab bother a duster in the LFS for that matter. I wonder why the problem though. Any ideas? Maybe they are underfed?
If the duster came DOA, I can see why a crab would feast on it though. Perhaps the worm abandoned the tube it was in after you got it in the tank and maybe you'll see a duster re-appear in a week or so with a new tube. Who knows?
Denise M.