[boombadan]

I have had this feather duster for about a month, this norning when i woke up i saw that the feather part had accully fallen off of the worm...


At about five o clock one of my peppermint noticed the worm, went over toward it and started picking away at its head. At first it was trying to put up a fight by pulling its self into the tube but the peppermint shrimp would just pull it back out. Finally i couldn't take it anymore and stuck my hand into the tank and litterly had to touch the shrimp to get it to back off. I tried to move the worm into a fish breeder netting fixture but it is wedged into between the rocks and almost impossible to get out. I came back to look at my tank later and saw that a hermit crab started to pick at the worm and the same peppermint shrimp right behind it. The thing seems at this time to be comitting suiside by going in in for a few seconds and then straight back out about an inch while the shrimp and crab wait at the top of the tube....


At this point i think the feather duster is dinner for the shrimp and crab but i would like to know why so and if i did anything wrong. I think the feathery part of the worm falling off had an impact on the outcome...

Anyone have any idea???Does anyone else keep peppermint shrimp with a feather duster???

[msbdiving]

I have read that there are a few species of peppermint shrimp. Two species look almost identical. I had to really look when I got mine. One of them doesn't go after aptasia but instead small invert (tube worms) and other cnidarians. I posted a link on here somewhere I can't remember where though. I believe it was from reefkeepers.com.

[boombadan]

ill try to take a picture of mine as soon as i can but they always seem to hide....

[pyromaniac398]

Ya i personally dont like peppermint shrimp and find them boarder-line reef safe. It is also common that a feather duster may drop their crown or feathery part, its a form of natural defense in the wild. Keep an eye on it

[angie555]

Sorr, I did not see this sooner! If your worm is still alive turn your lights off and let him go and hide. He may still survive. When the lights are out he will find a safe place to hide till he can grow a new shaft. Good Luck!

[blind1993]

well i got a hammer coral and it has 2 baby feather dusters and i just saw it like 5 min ago and it is so tiny like a pencil tip.

[boombadan]

R.I.P. feather duster.... just informing you all he really died

[e_baer]

sorry for your loss. feather duster typically lose their crown because of stress and poor water quality.

[c-c]

Boombaden,
Was your feather duster in the sand bed or up higher in the rock. I would try to give it more protection in the sand bed, next to a rock, and try, try again.

[boombadan]

it was wedged in between a rock.. and i am thinking about trying another 1..