Snails decend on Feather Duster

[azfishgal]

I was passing my tank for one last look before my lights went off and noticed my snails were attacking my feather duster.

At first I took my feeder stick and pushed them all away but noticed my feather duster was not going back into his tube. He was still alive but not acting normal. As a matter of fact for the past month I've notice he has been looking a lot smaller, not opening up like he used to. The snails continued to go after him and I figured the feather duster must have been on his last leg and the snails were just taking care of business. So I just let nature do it's thing. My 8 year old daughter had a tough time with it, but it was a good learning experience for her. I've had this feather duster in my tank from the very start, 9 months. I bought another feather duster at the same time, and that one is still going strong. Does anyone know how long feather dusters live?
Here are a few pictures of the sad event.

 

[renogaw]

amazing how one gives up its life to feed others huh? imagine the giant scale of this life cycle that goes on in the ocean!
I also bought 2 feather dusters, one died in about 7 months, i replaced it. the second original one did after about 10 months (but i think it was more due to the stress of my tank move)
you'd think they would live longer, but i seriously have no clue.

 

[m0nk]

I've had one last 6 months and haven't yet replaced it, so I don't really know either, but I know that one was being harassed because it dropped it's crown twice before finally giving in and getting eaten. I know the culprit there tho...

 

[reefkprz]

I have had my original duster for about 2-3 years its tossed its crown a couple times and lived through everything (tank moves, crashes and other) generally the reason for dusters dying is water quality or starvation. In my expierience this is most common in tanks under a year old. asd natural occuring planktonic levels are generally insufficient to support the obligate filter feeder, especially in a tank thats run with an efficient protien skimmer.
flow is really important to, if there is not enough flow to the duster to carry it food it will slowly starve, while another in the same tank (but different location) will flourish as its getting ample flow/food supply.

 

[azfishgal]

reefkprz, that is definitley something to think about. However, his feathers were always moving but he was pretty close to my frogspawn, do you think the frogspawn could have been bothering him? I'll probably never know the real reason, but it's always good to double check our husbandry practices to make sure we are keeping up with everything.

 

[reefkprz]

I have never seen any evidence of damage to a duster crown from tentacle contact. possibly if the sweepers where contacting the base or mouth area then there would be area for concern. I have stinging type corals (caulastrea)snuggled right next to my coco worm and have seen my frogspawn brushing against the feathers of my duster. I am not sure that it would be that, though it could be.

 

[reefkprz]

Originally Posted by azfishgal
I'll probably never know the real reason, but it's always good to double check our husbandry practices to make sure we are keeping up with everything.

I agree rehashing and thinking twice, about everything even if there is no concrete solution can lead to learning, maybe three years down the road something may happen and you'll remember a similarity and connect the dots that we cant see yet.

 

[reefkprz]

also it could have been old age as you dont really know the age that your duster was when you purchased it. you never know.

 

[azfishgal]

I DON'T BELIEVE IT, MY FEATHER DUSTER IS BACK!!!! Well, it at least left a baby or something because the original one was eaten, COMPLETELY as the pictures above prove. Has anyone had this happen before? I was thrilled when I saw it!!!!
This little guy is about the size of a silver dollar when open. It's so cute!

 

[lecithin]

woooo! Now theres a magic trick!

 

[azfishgal]

Originally Posted by Lecithin
woooo! Now theres a magic trick!

Good choice of words. That's what I think.

 

[m0nk]

That's awesome, congrats! This gives me hope that someday I might see mine re-appear with a new crown...