Fan Worms & Feather Dusters (Annelids)
Fan / Feather Duster Worms: Various
Description:
Hitchhiking fan worms range from very small inconspicuous specimens up to relatively large ones that can extend over an inch across at the crown. Their long segmented body is incased in a leathery tube for protection from which their crown of tentacles emerge to feed by filtering small food particles out of the water. When disturbed, the crown is quickly withdrawn into the tube for protection. The tube is generally partially buried in the substrate or attached to a solid structure such as a rock or the wall of the aquarium. They are commonly white to light tan in color, though sometimes are an attractive pink, light blue or other color. The images of wild colonies below show some of the more attractive colors that they can have, though unfortunately most found as hitchhikers in the reef tank are the basic white version shown on the left below.
They can reproduce in the aquarium and can rapidly colonize areas such as the sump where there are no fish predators and the microscopic food that they filter out of the water is conveniently served to them as the water flows through the sump. They may also colonize the display tank if there are no fan worm predators in the tank or if there are protected areas in the tank where predators can’t reach them.
Good or Bad?
There is nothing ‘bad’ about a fan worm. In fact their larger cousins like the Hawaiian Feather Duster are often sold in the hobby. They exist in virtually every reef tank and earn a living by filtering the water through their crown. Growth and proliferation of fan worms indicates that there is enough floating food particles in the water to support them. Tanks that are feed phytoplankton and similar filter feeding foods or which do not have heavy protein skimming will tend to have more fan worms as will tanks with poor husbandry. Their filtering action should help with water quality if only an inconsequential amount. Fan worms can also be quite attractive additions to the tank. They also can serve as food for other animals such as Copperband Butterflyfish or Wrasses whether intentionally or accidentally.
Fan Worms list :
courtesy to : www.live aquaria .com
Fan Worms are marine segmented worms that are sessile, attached to rocks or sand by their base. The plume of Fan Worms can measure up to 10" in diameter on some species. Fan Worms require excellent water quality. Fan Worms require supplemental feeding with infusoria or foods designed for filter-feeding invertebrates.
Looking for the best food to feed your Fan Worms and Feather Dusters? We recommend AlgaGen Acartia tonsa, AlgaGen Pseudodiaptomus pelagicus, AlgaGen Parvocalanus crassirostris, AlgaGen Tangerine Pod,AlgaGen Moina salina, AlgaGen PhycoPure™ Reef Blend, AlgaGen Decap'd Brine™, and AlgaGen Rotifers.
1-Hawaiian Feather Duster
Sabellastarte sp.
Care Level: Easy
Temperament: Peaceful
Waterflow: Medium
Water Conditions: 72-78° F, dKH 8-12, pH 8.1-8.4, sg 1.023-1.025
Max. Size: 7"
Color Form: Orange, Tan
Diet: Omnivore
Supplements: Calcium, Trace Elements
Origin: Hawaii
Family: Sabellidae
The Hawaiian Feather Duster is a fascinating addition to the reef aquarium. Considered both a feeding device and a breathing gill, the stunning crown (radiole) unfurls in all directions and sways gracefully as if keeping time with the current. The fan-shaped crown of the Hawaiian, or Giant Feather Duster is tan or orange with brown band colorations. The radiole of some species from certain locales may be up to 7 inches in diameter, or of brighter colors.
The Hawaiian Feather Duster uses the radiole to filter out small floating organisms, which it directs toward its mouth located at the center of the crown. It protects its segmented body by secreting a parchment-like tube to cover itself. When the Hawaiian Feather Duster is disturbed, it can quickly retract its radiole into the tube. If it is severely stressed, the Hawaiian Feather Duster will discard its crown, growing it back later.
The Hawaiian Feather Duster is often positioned within the coral rubble at the base of the reef aquarium. Reef rubble is often incorporated into the parchment-like tube of the Hawaiian Feather Duster. It needs to be housed in a well-established reef system, as it is dependent upon plankton for its diet. The Hawaiian Feather Duster is very intolerant of copper-based medications.
Supplemental feeding of phytoplankton and liquid organic foods should be provided.
Looking for the best food to feed your Fan Worms and Feather Dusters? We recommend AlgaGen Acartia tonsa,AlgaGen Pseudodiaptomus pelagicus, AlgaGen Parvocalanus crassirostris, AlgaGen Tangerine Pod,AlgaGen Moina salina, AlgaGen PhycoPure™ Reef Blend,AlgaGen Decap'd Brine™, and AlgaGen Rotifers.
Approximate Purchase Size: Medium: 2-1/2" to 3-1/2"; Large: 3-1/2" to 5-1/2"
How to care for for Feather Duster Worms
2-Dwarf Colored Feather Duster
Bispira sp.
Care Level: Easy
Temperament: Peaceful
Reef Compatible: Yes
Waterflow: Medium
Water Conditions: 72-78° F, dKH 8-12, pH 8.1-8.4, sg 1.023-1.025
Max. Size: 4"
Color Form: Red, White, Yellow
Diet: Omnivore
Supplements: Calcium, Trace Elements
Origin: Indo-Pacific
Family: Sabellidae
The Dwarf Colored Feather Duster is exquisite in both form and shape. Its fan-shaped radiole is a gorgeous pink, white, or yellow color that dresses any aquarium. Because it will grow only up to 4", this species of Bispira is suited for any sized aquarium.
Like other members of the Sabellidae family, the Dwarf Colored Feather Duster uses its radiole to filter out small floating organisms, which it directs toward its mouth, located at the center of the crown. The Dwarf Colored Feather Duster protects its segmented body by secreting a parchment tube to cover itself. When it is disturbed or threatened, it can quickly pull its radiole into the tube. If the Dwarf Colored Feather Duster is severely stressed, it will discard its crown, growing it back later.
The Dwarf Colored Feather Duster is usually found in the coral rubble at the base of the reef, with some of the rubble being incorporated into its parchment-like tubes. It requires a well-established reef system since it is dependent upon floating plankton for its diet.
Supplemental feeding of phytoplankton and liquid organic foods should be provided. Like other invertebrates, the Dwarf Colored Feather Duster is very intolerant of copper-based medications and fluctuations in water parameters.
Looking for the best food to feed your Fan Worms and Feather Dusters? We recommend AlgaGen Acartia tonsa,AlgaGen Pseudodiaptomus pelagicus, AlgaGen Parvocalanus crassirostris, AlgaGen Tangerine Pod,AlgaGen Moina salina, AlgaGen PhycoPure™ Reef Blend,AlgaGen Decap'd Brine™, and AlgaGen Rotifers.
Approximate Purchase Size: 2" to 4"
3-Feather Duster
Sabellastarte sp.
Care Level: Easy
Temperament: Peaceful
Reef Compatible: Yes
Waterflow: Medium
Water Conditions: 72-78° F, dKH 8-12, pH 8.1-8.4, sg 1.023-1.025
Max. Size: 7"
Color Form: Orange, Tan
Diet: Omnivore
Supplements: Calcium, Trace Elements
Compatibility: View Chart
Origin: Hawaii, Indo-Pacific
Family: Sabellidae
The Feather Duster, also known as Giant Feather Duster, has a fan-shaped crown (radiole) that is tan or orange with brown band colorations. The radiole of some species from certain locales may be up to 7 inches in diameter, or of brighter colors.
The Feather Duster uses the radiole to filter out small floating organisms, which it directs toward its mouth, located at the center of the crown. It protects its segmented body by secreting a parchment-like tube to cover itself. When it is disturbed, it can quickly pull in its radiole into the tube. If it is severely stressed, it will discard its crown, growing it back later.
The Feather Duster is usually found in the coral rubble at the base of the reef aquarium, with some of the rubble being incorporated into its parchment-like tube. It needs to be housed in a well-established reef system as it is dependent upon plankton for its diet. It is very intolerant of copper-based medications.
Supplemental feeding of phytoplankton and liquid organic foods should be provided.
Looking for the best food to feed your Fan Worms and Feather Dusters? We recommend AlgaGen Acartia tonsa,AlgaGen Pseudodiaptomus pelagicus, AlgaGen Parvocalanus crassirostris, AlgaGen Tangerine Pod,AlgaGen Moina salina, AlgaGen PhycoPure™ Reef Blend,AlgaGen Decap'd Brine™, and AlgaGen Rotifers.
Approximate Purchase Size: 2-1/4" to 3-1/2"
4-Cluster Duster, Colored
Bispira brunnea
Care Level: Moderate
Temperament: Peaceful
Reef Compatible: Yes
Waterflow: Medium
Water Conditions: 72-78° F, dKH 8-12, pH 8.1-8.4, sg 1.023-1.025
Color Form: Red
Diet: Omnivore
Origin: Caribbean
Family: Sabellidae
The Cluster Dusters were first described by scientists in 1820. They grow as a mass of individual small tubeworms, sometimes totaling over 100 in a single clump. Their parchment-like tubes will adhere to bits of rock. This helps to anchor the clump, which will usually be found in a shaded area of the reef.
In the reef aquarium, they will require space under an overhanging rock or coral, with a gentle current delivering their planktonic meals. Since they need plankton in their diet, they will do best in a mature reef aquarium. Their combined mass of colorful radioles will filter out the available floating plankton, but can also be withdrawn into the parchment tubes if alarmed, and they are easily alarmed. If they become continually frightened or subjected to poor water quality, they may discard their radioles (fan tentacles). They will be re-grown only under proper conditions. Their mass of tubes are somewhat delicate, so care should be taken while transporting them. They should not be housed with predatory fish, serpent stars, urchins or any other invertebrate that may break them apart.
The diet should be supplemented with liquid plankton solutions.
Approximate Purchase Size: 1" to 2"
5-Christmas Tree Worm on Rock, Multicolor
Spirobranchus porites
Care Level: Difficult
Temperament: Peaceful
Water Conditions: 72-78° F, dKH 8-12, pH 8.1-8.4, sg 1.023-1.025
Max. Size: 1"
Color Form: Assorted
Diet: Omnivore
Origin: Indonesia
Family: Serpulidae
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.
Breeding in the home aquarium is very rare.
Since it is purely a filter feeder, the diet of the Christmas Tree Worm should be supplemented with liquid plankton-based foods.
Looking for the best food to feed your Fan Worms and Feather Dusters? We recommend AlgaGen Acartia tonsa,AlgaGen Pseudodiaptomus pelagicus, AlgaGen Parvocalanus crassirostris, AlgaGen Tangerine Pod,AlgaGen Moina salina, AlgaGen PhycoPure™ Reef Blend,AlgaGen Decap'd Brine™, and AlgaGen Rotifers.
The Christmas Tree Worm is normally shipped with several individuals attached to a small peice of live rock or rubble.
Approximate Purchase Size: Small: 1-1/2" to 2-1/2"; Medium: 2-1/2" to 3-1/2"; Large: 3-1/2" to 5"
