Feather Duster Quest reaps rewards!
- Thread starter rcbruce
- Start date
rcbruce
Member
They are what is known as Christmas Tree feather dusters - Spirobranchus porites.
From what I have been reading, somewhat rare in the hobby, or maybe seldom seen is more accurate.
The Christmas Tree Worm, or Jewel Stone, was first described by scientists in 1766. Its crown comes in a variety of different colors, but is always paired. Usually, just the crown, which is spiraled in the shape of a Christmas tree, is seen; its body is hidden within the host coral. It has an operculum (top trap door) that covers its tube when it withdraws its crown. There are often several Christmas Tree Worms in the same area, though they do not live in close groups.
The Christmas Tree Worm is somewhat shy of movement and prefers to be in the shade of rocky overhangs, out of the bright light. It is very intolerant of copper-based medications.
From what I have been reading, somewhat rare in the hobby, or maybe seldom seen is more accurate.
The Christmas Tree Worm, or Jewel Stone, was first described by scientists in 1766. Its crown comes in a variety of different colors, but is always paired. Usually, just the crown, which is spiraled in the shape of a Christmas tree, is seen; its body is hidden within the host coral. It has an operculum (top trap door) that covers its tube when it withdraws its crown. There are often several Christmas Tree Worms in the same area, though they do not live in close groups.
The Christmas Tree Worm is somewhat shy of movement and prefers to be in the shade of rocky overhangs, out of the bright light. It is very intolerant of copper-based medications.
shrimpi
Active Member
I had a featherduster like the one in your second pic.
The wierdest thing happened...
I woke up one morning and the tube was covered in this white (elmers-glue looking) mucous and the worm wouldnt come out. Over the next several days, every morning Id chck out the tube and it would have more and more of that white stuff. the hermits were even trying to eat it.
Then all the sudden on like the 4th day of mucous-ness the tube was found on the other side of the tank- completely uprooted, and no mucous on it. I picked up the tube and it was hollow with a big hole out of the side.
Im not sure what the heck went on! I havent seen the worm, dont know if he kicked the bucket or is rebuilding somewhere else. Maybe he was trying to reproduce? It didnt look like the tube was rotting, it looked deliberately 'encased' in that white stuff.
I have other dusters healthy as can be, and even a scallop, so I dont think he starved. But, I miss him b/c he was pretty.. JUST like the one in pic#2 you have
I hadnt ever seen another one like him until yours.
The wierdest thing happened...
I woke up one morning and the tube was covered in this white (elmers-glue looking) mucous and the worm wouldnt come out. Over the next several days, every morning Id chck out the tube and it would have more and more of that white stuff. the hermits were even trying to eat it.
Then all the sudden on like the 4th day of mucous-ness the tube was found on the other side of the tank- completely uprooted, and no mucous on it. I picked up the tube and it was hollow with a big hole out of the side.
Im not sure what the heck went on! I havent seen the worm, dont know if he kicked the bucket or is rebuilding somewhere else. Maybe he was trying to reproduce? It didnt look like the tube was rotting, it looked deliberately 'encased' in that white stuff.
I have other dusters healthy as can be, and even a scallop, so I dont think he starved. But, I miss him b/c he was pretty.. JUST like the one in pic#2 you have
mpls man
Active Member
Originally Posted by alyssia
It may be getting ready to "jump ship" if it's stressed, dosen't like where you placed it or if your parameters are not good.
this is werd though, sometimes when i look in tank it looks fine, back in the tube..
i did try to move it back under the toadstool to shade it from the MHs.
i guess we'll see if things change.
thanks for the help so far
It may be getting ready to "jump ship" if it's stressed, dosen't like where you placed it or if your parameters are not good.
this is werd though, sometimes when i look in tank it looks fine, back in the tube..
i did try to move it back under the toadstool to shade it from the MHs.
i guess we'll see if things change.
thanks for the help so far
lacyqueen
New Member
Those feather dusters are truly beautiful !!! Thanks for the info on where you got them. Had to go to Baton Rouge today so made a detour on the way home to see if they had any more. Was lucky enough to get a yellow one but not at the price you said you paid for yours. I ended up paying $46 for it but the owner was very nice and informative. I did mention to him that I saw your message here.
rcbruce
Member
Originally Posted by lacyqueen
Those feather dusters are truly beautiful !!! Thanks for the info on where you got them. Had to go to Baton Rouge today so made a detour on the way home to see if they had any more. Was lucky enough to get a yellow one but not at the price you said you paid for yours. I ended up paying $46 for it but the owner was very nice and informative. I did mention to him that I saw your message here.
Thank you for mentioning it! You must have talked to Steve the owner. He is, without a doubt, the most knowledgeable fish guy I ever met. I just bought a new 90 gallon reef tank from him, waiting for my sump to be ready. He custom builds the sumps to match the tanks. I can't wait to make the switch!
Far as the price, the more regular you buy from him, the better the deals he makes. I been buying from him for 3 years.
BTW........know anybody that wants a 55 gal tank, bak-pak protein skimmer and canister filter?
Those feather dusters are truly beautiful !!! Thanks for the info on where you got them. Had to go to Baton Rouge today so made a detour on the way home to see if they had any more. Was lucky enough to get a yellow one but not at the price you said you paid for yours. I ended up paying $46 for it but the owner was very nice and informative. I did mention to him that I saw your message here.
Thank you for mentioning it! You must have talked to Steve the owner. He is, without a doubt, the most knowledgeable fish guy I ever met. I just bought a new 90 gallon reef tank from him, waiting for my sump to be ready. He custom builds the sumps to match the tanks. I can't wait to make the switch!
Far as the price, the more regular you buy from him, the better the deals he makes. I been buying from him for 3 years.
BTW........know anybody that wants a 55 gal tank, bak-pak protein skimmer and canister filter?
alyssia
Active Member
Originally Posted by MPLS MAN
alyssia..
well my feather did as you thought...jumped ship
sooo is he dead, or can i put him back into his tube ??
i kmow there sometimes attached inside the tube to the worm half, but i'm not sure once there out ....then what.
thanks
If it finds a new place it likes before it gets eaten, it will build itself a new tube. Mine has done that before.
alyssia..
well my feather did as you thought...jumped ship
sooo is he dead, or can i put him back into his tube ??
i kmow there sometimes attached inside the tube to the worm half, but i'm not sure once there out ....then what.
thanks
If it finds a new place it likes before it gets eaten, it will build itself a new tube. Mine has done that before.
lacyqueen
New Member
Originally Posted by RCBruce
Thank you for mentioning it! You must have talked to Steve the owner. He is, without a doubt, the most knowledgeable fish guy I ever met. I just bought a new 90 gallon reef tank from him, waiting for my sump to be ready. He custom builds the sumps to match the tanks. I can't wait to make the switch!
Far as the price, the more regular you buy from him, the better the deals he makes. I been buying from him for 3 years.
BTW........know anybody that wants a 55 gal tank, bak-pak protein skimmer and canister filter?
That's what I have right now, a 55 gal., and wish I would have gotten a bigger one. Originally bought a 29 long but brought it back and got the 55.
How much do you want for it? Does it come with a stand? Was thinking of doing a discus tank.
Thank you for mentioning it! You must have talked to Steve the owner. He is, without a doubt, the most knowledgeable fish guy I ever met. I just bought a new 90 gallon reef tank from him, waiting for my sump to be ready. He custom builds the sumps to match the tanks. I can't wait to make the switch!
Far as the price, the more regular you buy from him, the better the deals he makes. I been buying from him for 3 years.
BTW........know anybody that wants a 55 gal tank, bak-pak protein skimmer and canister filter?
That's what I have right now, a 55 gal., and wish I would have gotten a bigger one. Originally bought a 29 long but brought it back and got the 55.
How much do you want for it? Does it come with a stand? Was thinking of doing a discus tank.
alyssia
Active Member
Originally Posted by MPLS MAN
so do you think i could put him in a hole to see if that will work ?
i'm up in the air right now....
thanks for the help
You can try it...but it still might move again. I've thought mine were dead before but then one day I will see feathers popping up somewhere.
so do you think i could put him in a hole to see if that will work ?
i'm up in the air right now....
thanks for the help
You can try it...but it still might move again. I've thought mine were dead before but then one day I will see feathers popping up somewhere.
