Missing Featherduster

[dragon79]

You wouldn't believe it...First, well it was time for a water change, so I went ahead and did all of that, but I had to re-arrange my coral from the top, just in case I would have bumped him. I also moved my feather duster worm as I was afraid I might hurt it too.

Well after the water change, and I put everything how it was suppose to be, I repositioned the feather duster worm in the center, and after a hour or so down the road, I noticed it never came out. I was concerned and called my brother mike. He told me that quite possibly it got scared and it popped out of it's shell, and to squeeze gently on the tube to see if it wiggles. I tried that, and it resulted in what he thought...the worm had vacated the shell. Crazy to say, I have no idea where he went. I even tried moving my LR all out, and found zip, nada, ziltch! Where did he go? Does he dig in the sand when he has no protective shell? Well I gave up, re-arranged my rock to how they were (was kinda hard being it's not that easy).

Being new to this nano and saltwater is quite tricky...aie... my girlfriend is even sadder now, being that there is no feather duster visible, and also forgot to mention earlier in this post, that ms violet (purple dotty) died from a mysterious fungus, and the hermit grabs had a fiesta on his body. Nemo is all alone, but kicking nice and strong with no signs of sickness. I'll have to see what happens in the next few days, but if that feather duster doesn't appear, I guess it's back to the LFS for another one as my girl really liked that thing...

Well fellow nano'er's tell me what's up? What do you think happened to the feather duster? Will it return? Did i bury it? Can it maneuever through the sand and make a new shell ?? :?:

 

[djconn]

My bet is that he'll show up in a few days somewhere else. When I dosed Flatworm Exit in my 20g awhile back, I thought my featherduster died and it jumped right out of it's tube. It wasn't really moving too much. The next day it already had another smaller 'tube' built and it was living on the other side of my tank. He's doing great now.

 

[dragon79]

dude that was quick!

My bet is that he'll show up in a few days somewhere else. When I dosed Flatworm Exit in my 20g awhile back, I thought my featherduster died and it jumped right out of it's tube. It wasn't really moving too much. The next day it already had another smaller 'tube' built and it was living on the other side of my tank. He's doing great now.

Thanks for the vote of confidence here. Man, I have no idea where it went, and I can't believe I could not see it's pretty purple and white crown, unless it shed that too, but like in a puff a smoke it pulled a major disapearing act like a magician. Time will reveal what happens, I'll give it a few days I suppose...I hope to see it re-appear!

 

[mikeguerrero]

I told my brother that this has happened to me and that my feather duster worm decided to find heaven in the back of my rocks.

I never see him unless I peak in between the rocks. My worm has a crown but the tube is what he got rid of. Can anyone shed some light on Dragons case?

He yanked the shell and the worm apparently dislodged itself and he didn't become aware that he had yanked his case.

So does it regain a new case? Does it keep it's crown?

I'd like to know as well,

thanks,,,


Mike
:?:

 

[Sugar Magnolia]

I had a duster that did that as well. Yours will try to build itself another tube, as long as it wasn't harmed by your attempts to find it by moving the rock around. More than likely it backed itself into the sand as mine did.

Unfortunately for the worm, it's tube will not be as strong as it's original tube that it had built in the wild before it was collected for sale. They are typically found in areas higher in silt, sediments and mud, and the sand we keep in our tanks is quite a bit coarser than what is optimal for tube building.

Mine did build itself a new tube but remained completely buiried and only it's crown would show.

Best of luck with your duster!

 

[djconn]

Found him yet? :huh:

 

[dragon79]

dj

he's gone like the wind. He somehow evaded me and has not turned up. Either he's buried or died somewhere. I really don't get it, you'd think I'd at least see the booger, but noooooooooo, it had to be difficult!! LOL. Oh well, when the time is right, I'll get another (and make sure I cut off his exits, haha)

 

[incysor]

I've never had one come back that actually fell out or left it's tube. I've had them re-grow heads, so If I see the head gone but no worm I leave it alone.