Why is my Feather Duster coming out of his tube?

[tirtza]

I've had a couple of Feather Dusters for 2 weeks. After the first week, one of the Feather Dusters began hosting my female clown fish. I made some small changes and rearranged a few things in the tank a couple of days ago. I moved one of the Feather Dusters (to make room for something else). The Feather Duster that was moved happened to be the one that had been hosting the clown fish. I noticed a difference in it's 'crown'...it looked a little ragged compared to the other Feather Duster.
Earlier today when the lights were off, I caught the worm partially hanging out of it's tube moving around. I was completely alarmed when I saw this! It got spooked when I tried taking some pictures and quickly withdrew back into its tube. Tonight, just minutes after the lights were out I caught the worm hanging out of it's tube again. I haven't seen it with it's crown of feathers today. Could it have been stressed out from the clown fish and/or because I moved it? Did it loose it's feathers? Is it normal for the worm to be hanging out of it's tube????
I tried taking some pictures, but they're a pretty poor quality since the lights were out.....

 

[geoj]

I am not to in to the feathers but I do know that they do drop there feathers and will move out of its tube and make a new home in a spot it likes.

 

[kiefers]

However, normally, the dusters are located on or closer to the substrate. Typically, when they leave their tubes and if unable to relocate, they die off. Cool pic though

 

[tirtza]

I just checked it, and it was hanging out again. It looked like there were chunks of or bites taken out of it (maybe by my clownfish??). I placed the tube on the sand and the worm still hung out a bit. As soon as I placed it on the sand my Nas. snails went after it like a buffet. So I'm guessing that it's dead now.....would you agree? Should I take the tube out or leave it in there for a bit for the snails or to see if it will regenerate?

 

[spanko]

Yup probably dead. Could be the clowns nipping at it but my bet is the cleaner shrimp.

 

[tirtza]

Well, if the Feather Duster wasn't dead before than he sure is now. After watching the Nass. snails rush over to him, I was sure he was dead. I took out the tube and threw it away. The Feather Dusters were totally an impulse buy and I didn't research it as much as I should have....a horrible decision overall. I should have known better, it was such a rookie mistake! I still have one left and so far is seems very happy and healthy. It's attached itself to the back wall, and I've been spot feeding it cyclops when ever I feed my candy cane coral. It'll be a miracle if I can keep it alive.....from what I've read, they don't do very well in captivity.

 

[kiefers]

Quote:
Originally Posted by tirtza http:///t/391086/why-is-my-feather-duster-coming-out-of-his-tube#post_3466790
Well, if the Feather Duster wasn't dead before than he sure is now. After watching the Nass. snails rush over to him, I was sure he was dead. I took out the tube and threw it away. The Feather Dusters were totally an impulse buy and I didn't research it as much as I should have....a horrible decision overall. I should have known better, it was such a rookie mistake! I still have one left and so far is seems very happy and healthy. It's attached itself to the back wall, and I've been spot feeding it cyclops when ever I feed my candy cane coral. It'll be a miracle if I can keep it alive.....from what I've read, they don't do very well in captivity.
Hi Terri. First of all, dusters are very neat looking in the tanks and it's hit and miss with those, not a rookie mistake at all. A rookie mistake is adding fish to a newly set up system or fish to large for a tank. You bought it cuz it was pretty. Thats all.
I have dudters in my tank and every now and then you will see the worm pop out. Nothing to do with the rookie status.