feather duster defeathered

[danimal]

A recent addition to the tank was a Hawaiian Feather duster. Seem to be doing fine for about a week. Came home and the feathers were stuffed into a hole in the rock as if dragged in.

I have not seen any predators. Any thoughts on who might have caused him to come out? He was down low near the bottom once he left his tube - a brittle star made quick work of him - dinner was served.......

Only a yellow tank, some hermits and two peppermint shrimp that I am aware of in the tank that would go after it. I have heard they can detach their feathers and the worm could still be in the tube, but no sign of him – its shut up tight.

 

[reefNewbie]

either it lost it due to stress or im placing my bet on the peppermints. Stress seems more likely though since it was relatively new to the tank. You might want to check your water params. Dont worry he will most likely slowly regenerate and come back out. Mine lost his crown twice when I first got him. Always grew back though.

He was down low near the bottom once he left his tube - a brittle star made quick work of him - dinner was served.......

Im confused, did the worm leave his tube or not?

 

[danimal]

Never saw that part of the event. When i got up in the morning the feathers were sticking out of a deep hole in the rock instead of the tube. The worm could have crawled in there or the feathers just floated that way. They appeared to be pulled in as if dragged by the worm or some other predator uo inside the rock. The brittle star wondered by at some point and grabbed the feathers - he was so wrapped up with it that i could not tell what he had.

The tube remains intack but the entrance is tightly closed - no sign of movement yet.

 

[reefNewbie]

yea the worm is most likely still in there. As long as all of the water params are fine, he will most likely start slowly emerging. You can expect him to be fully grown in anywhere from 2-4 weeks.

 

[danimal]

That would be great news!

The tank paramters are all normal and everyone is happy except for the featherless one...Here's hoping he is in there.

 

[rwoolley]

the worm could still be in the tube, but no sign of him – its shut up tight.

If the tube is shut up tight, it's probably still in the tube. Every feather duster I've had lost it's crown and regrew back....but alas, they're all gone now... :?