Cocoa worm Care
- Thread starter fishywoo
- Start date
Quick Stats: Hard Tubeworm
Family: Serpulidae
Range: Indo-Pacific
Size: Up to 5 inch radioles
Diet: Omnivore
Tank Set-up: Marine: Coral or rock, gravel
Reef Compatible: Yes
Tank Conditions: 72-78?F; sg 1.023-1.025; pH 8.1-8.4
Temperament: Peaceful
Venomous: No
Care Level: Difficult
The Hard Tubeworm, also known as the Hard Tube Feather Duster, Protula Tubeworm, or Hard Tube Coco Worm, has a crown that can be white, yellow, orange, pink, or red. The radioles may be banded or patterned. Younger Hard Tubeworms have bi-lobed crowns, while the crowns of older individuals are spiraled.
The Hard Tubeworm secretes a calcareous tube, approximately ? inch in diameter and 5-8 inches long, to house its vulnerable worm body. When disturbed, it can quickly retract its crown and close its operculum to shut the top of its tube. It usually anchors its tube in a crevice of the rocky reef or in the gravel along current-swept reef slopes. It uses the radioles to filter out floating plankton.
The aquarium for the Hard Tubeworm should be well established and contain a rock and gravel substrate. The Hard Tubeworm requires calcium and the proper alkalinity to grow. It is extremely intolerant of poor water quality and copper-based medications.
In the aquarium it is difficult to maintain, and will need supplements of phytoplankton and liquid organic foods.
Family: Serpulidae
Range: Indo-Pacific
Size: Up to 5 inch radioles
Diet: Omnivore
Tank Set-up: Marine: Coral or rock, gravel
Reef Compatible: Yes
Tank Conditions: 72-78?F; sg 1.023-1.025; pH 8.1-8.4
Temperament: Peaceful
Venomous: No
Care Level: Difficult
The Hard Tubeworm, also known as the Hard Tube Feather Duster, Protula Tubeworm, or Hard Tube Coco Worm, has a crown that can be white, yellow, orange, pink, or red. The radioles may be banded or patterned. Younger Hard Tubeworms have bi-lobed crowns, while the crowns of older individuals are spiraled.
The Hard Tubeworm secretes a calcareous tube, approximately ? inch in diameter and 5-8 inches long, to house its vulnerable worm body. When disturbed, it can quickly retract its crown and close its operculum to shut the top of its tube. It usually anchors its tube in a crevice of the rocky reef or in the gravel along current-swept reef slopes. It uses the radioles to filter out floating plankton.
The aquarium for the Hard Tubeworm should be well established and contain a rock and gravel substrate. The Hard Tubeworm requires calcium and the proper alkalinity to grow. It is extremely intolerant of poor water quality and copper-based medications.
In the aquarium it is difficult to maintain, and will need supplements of phytoplankton and liquid organic foods.
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