Feather Duster Questions

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siptang

Guest
So.. coming from a trigger, wrasse tanks. I couldn't think about feather dusters at all because they would eat it all.
My question is this.
How easy is it to keep it now?
I have shrimps, few hermits, 1 emerald crab, 2 tangs, 2 occ clowns, 1 royal gramma, 1 bi color angel and 2 fire fish.
Can I put a couple of these feather dusters in my tank?
Also how long do they usually live?
Thanks.
 
btldreef

btldreef

Moderator
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.
 
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siptang

Guest
Oh no, that sucks...
I saw a cheap one for like $8. I will go ahead and get that one and I will experiment with it. :/
Thanks for your quick reply!
 
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siptang

Guest
bang guy - that's a good question...
How about like this one?
Seems like the most common ones that I see at my LFSs.
 
mr. limpid

mr. limpid

Active Member
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.
 
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siptang

Guest
They had one in the store but the thing wasn't popping out so didn't want to risk it. :/
 
bang guy

bang guy

Moderator
Quote:
Originally Posted by Siptang http:///t/390049/feather-duster-questions#post_3451615
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.
 
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siptang

Guest
Hmm.. Iwent to the lfs and they jacked up the price to 15 bucks... geez. Waiting until they have some sale going on.
 
meowzer

meowzer

Moderator
Quote:
Originally Posted by Bang Guy http:///t/390049/feather-duster-questions#post_3451601
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...
 
kiefers

kiefers

Active Member
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.
 
mr. limpid

mr. limpid

Active Member
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.
 
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siptang

Guest
I see.. I'm learning so much from here. I wish I can just find a cheap one now to try.
 
morgan175

morgan175

Member
Did you get one and how is it? Wondering if I should try one in the refuge. Saw a tank where a guy had feather dusters take over his refuge and were just fine. Actually said he had to remove some taking up to much space.
 
pezenfuego

pezenfuego

Active Member
I had one for a year easy. Then my clowns decided to host it (or be hosted by it actually). It did not like that too much. It lost it's crown. Watching that crown grow back was amazing to say the least. It made a full recovery and they never touched it again. Just remember that when you read that two species can live peacefully together, does not always make it so (and vice versa). But the fact that everyone has their own unique experiences is what makes the hobby so great imo. Try one out. They are grossly underrated.
 
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