Why would my feather duster come out of its tube?

spammie5

spammie5

Member
After I woke up this morning, my husband comes into the bathroom and says, "What's this thing hanging from your powerhead?" Uh-Oh....so I go look and it's my feather duster. Completely out of its tube and so I gently pulled it out of the ph and tried to nudge him back into its tube....had to get to work, so I'm not sure if it's alive/dead, ok/not ok???
I just tested the water the day before and everything is good and right where it should be.
So...what would make a feather duster come out of its tube?? It's crown is full and intact and there's plenty of flow for it to filter feed so what's happening?
Thanks in advance!
 
flower

flower

Well-Known Member
My guess is something disturbed it. One of my coco worms came out while I was moving it to a smaller tank, as soon as I put it into the water it came out. I laid the tube by it hoping, but he never touched it after getting out.
I had to do something to the DT and had to move the coral out temporarily. After returning everything the coco worm is nowhere to be found. I assume he is dead but I keep looking for it.
So maybe your worm was disturbed by something. I had never heard of tube worms leaving their tubes except to die. So there is not much hope for either of our worm’s survival.
Like I stressed at the start of my post...I am guessing.
 
lauremf2002

lauremf2002

Member
I accidently pulled my feather duster out of his tube when i was relocating him and i just worked his but back in about a 1/4 inch and left him to do the rest. He slowly pulled himself back into the tube and has been fine every since. Dont worry they all feel like limp noodles that doesnt mean its dead. I think they dont have alot of muscle structure so he may need a tiny bit of help.. I have also heard stories of people getting them into snail shells, holes in rock etc. They just need something rigid for support.
 
spammie5

spammie5

Member
Well, I just ran to the house after getting off the air, and I didn't see him anywhere....I'm searching the PH, I'm looking behind rocks...and then I saw his feather tips starting to come out of the tube! He apparently made it back in just fine and he completely extended while I was watching...so I guess he is doing ok. Guess he just wanted to see what life was like outside the tube...crazy little guy!!
 
spammie5

spammie5

Member
Thanks me too....except! I was noticing my camel back shrimp starting to make a run for his 'feathers' when he's displaying them. I'm concerned he's the reason that the FD came out of his tube...maybe pulled out?? The shrimp has never shown any interest that I've seen to the FD but he's hanging around him now - until I walk up to the tank and he scoots away...as if he knows he's in trouble.
I don't have anything to protect my FD right now but can try to get something tomorrow if it's not too late. Hopefully I won't wake up to him in my PH again.
 
pezenfuego

pezenfuego

Active Member
I wouldn't worry too much, I don't think the shrimp would pull it out...wouldn't the duster just retract into the tube and be safe? One of the coolest things I've seen is a feather duster regrow it's plume. When I got one about a year ago, it dropped it's plume while being acclimated. Over the course of a few weeks it slowly grew back. It was VERY interesting to watch. Now the plume is fully grown and he has been wonderfully healthy since. Glad to hear he's okay and I hope he stays that way.
 
spammie5

spammie5

Member
Well, my FD made it fine throughout the night and my husband said that when he went to bed my barred goby was almost sitting on top of its tube as if to protect it from the harassment of the shrimp! Who knows but all is good today and that makes me happy!
 
salami trigger

salami trigger

Member
I remember the first time mine started smokin....I freaked...then learned they were breeding! This was about after a couple of weeks after some dropped their feathers.
 
spammie5

spammie5

Member
Well as of now....it hasn't come out of its tube in a few days so I'm not sure what is up...it seemed fine after coming out of tube and going back in....but I haven't seen it at all in the last few days.
 
reefer619

reefer619

New Member
Sometimes Sabellastarte spp. leave their tube. This exposes the worm, making it vulnerable to predators. In general it is best not to try to re-insert the worm into its tube. One is more likely to injure it this way, and it is likely that it left the tube for a good reason. Usually they move this way to a better position, in a stronger current. The worm can build a new transparent tube in a matter of hours, and it will coat the tube with sand and detritus over a matter of a few days.
 
rickross23

rickross23

Active Member
Sometimes Sabellastarte spp. leave their tube. This exposes the worm, making it vulnerable to predators. In general it is best not to try to re-insert the worm into its tube. One is more likely to injure it this way, and it is likely that it left the tube for a good reason. Usually they move this way to a better position, in a stronger current. The worm can build a new transparent tube in a matter of hours, and it will coat the tube with sand and detritus over a matter of a few days.
Welcome to the site here at SWF!
 
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