G
Guest
My feather duster is withering after 2 weeks. Have normal lighting, live rock and a few fish. Feed Formula Two and brine shrimp.
Any advice?
Any advice?
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Feather dusters are filter feeders. I feed mine, along with some of the corals with DT's a few times a week. From what I've read they don't really eat the larger size foods.
It could also depend on where the worm is located and what other animals you have in the tank. I think they prefer a lower flow area. You may want to watch and see if anybody is picking on it. I had an arrow crab that I eventually had to get rid of because he kept picking at the feathers. It got so stressed out that it shed its crown of feathers. After about three weeks it had regrown new ones and was fine. Keep an eye on it and even if you don't see it out for a few days or even a week or so, you can check on it by tapping on its tube. If you feel it moving inside the tube, he's still alive.
It could also depend on where the worm is located and what other animals you have in the tank. I think they prefer a lower flow area. You may want to watch and see if anybody is picking on it. I had an arrow crab that I eventually had to get rid of because he kept picking at the feathers. It got so stressed out that it shed its crown of feathers. After about three weeks it had regrown new ones and was fine. Keep an eye on it and even if you don't see it out for a few days or even a week or so, you can check on it by tapping on its tube. If you feel it moving inside the tube, he's still alive.
OP
OP
Guest
OK, I'm a serious newbie. What are DTs?
K
KarenB
"DT's Phytoplankon," that's the name of it. It's kept refrigerated, has a shelf life of a few weeks, and you can get it at a few LFS's around town. I got mine at Aquatic Center, and I feed my tank nightly.
OP
OP
Guest
Thanks a bunch!
I'll try to find some. LFSs are few and far between over here, though. :x
Maybe ebay?
Thanks again!
I'll try to find some. LFSs are few and far between over here, though. :x
Maybe ebay?
Thanks again!
yeah, any phytoplankton will do. if he's not doing well, i'd skip DTs website and go to petco or petsmart and look for some Kent phytoplex. It's not live phytoplankton, but it still is nutritious enough for a feather duster to feed. Basically, dusters don't do well with much else as their main diet. If the food trapped in their feathers is too big, it is covered in mucus and becomes part of the tube surrounding the worm. the reason the duster shed its feathers is that feathers take energy to maintain. if he starts doing better a few days later, he might grow some more feathers and feed again. i dunno, it might not grow them back if it doesn't get some nutrients to survive and excess to grow new feathers.
OP
OP
Guest
bjcsimon,
I don't think it is a good idea to feed your tank yet because it is new set up tank.
I don't think it is a good idea to feed your tank yet because it is new set up tank.
OP
OP
Guest
how new is this tank?
has the tank cycled?
My feather duster prefers slow steady flow. After talking with Dr. Shimek about them he suggesting moving it to a place where the crown can remain fully open without swaying in the current.
these guys filter constantly, and need a near constant supply of plankters, so in a new tank I'd be quite concerned that it's not getting any food. Target feeding doesn't work very well I'm told, they have no way to store the food, in the wild the feed 24/7.
I suggest you go to reefcentral.com and search the "Ask Dr. Ron" forum on feather duster or saebellid worm. That will help you quite a bit.
If the feather duster looses its crown, DON'T PANIC, and leave the tube alone. in a week or two it may re-emerge . I had a tank crash and mine lost it's crown, I thought for sure he was dead, 6 days later I noticed something in the tube...
has the tank cycled?
My feather duster prefers slow steady flow. After talking with Dr. Shimek about them he suggesting moving it to a place where the crown can remain fully open without swaying in the current.
these guys filter constantly, and need a near constant supply of plankters, so in a new tank I'd be quite concerned that it's not getting any food. Target feeding doesn't work very well I'm told, they have no way to store the food, in the wild the feed 24/7.
I suggest you go to reefcentral.com and search the "Ask Dr. Ron" forum on feather duster or saebellid worm. That will help you quite a bit.
If the feather duster looses its crown, DON'T PANIC, and leave the tube alone. in a week or two it may re-emerge . I had a tank crash and mine lost it's crown, I thought for sure he was dead, 6 days later I noticed something in the tube...
aqua-nut
Guest
Anyone seen cheap feather dusters around town at LFS's? I'd be willing to pay $5~6 or so for them.
I can find them at Aquarium World, but they're proud of their stuff and it shows on the glass $$$$$
This discussion has created a need to buy a couple, one for each of my tanks.[/b]
I can find them at Aquarium World, but they're proud of their stuff and it shows on the glass $$$$$
This discussion has created a need to buy a couple, one for each of my tanks.[/b]
AggieBrandon
Guest
You should check out www.lonestarcoral.com I think giant hawaiian feather dusters are in your price range there and they are a nice size too. Most of them are 5" or so. You may also find some other things you like. I picked up a nice clam for a good price. Oh yeah it is Houston based so local pick up is not a problem.
Brandon
Brandon
toefu
Guest
where is this lonestar coral located? what part of town, the website does not state an address.
