Feather Duster

A Feather Duster is a tube-dwelling marine worm that extends a crown of fine feeding filaments into the current. The crown catches suspended food and can disappear quickly into the tube when the worm is disturbed.

Provide an established aquarium with gentle to moderate circulation carrying food past the crown. Suitable fine plankton foods, including phytoplankton, are part of an intentional feeding plan; a bright light does not feed the worm. Position it where food can reach it without a concentrated pump jet continually forcing it to retract.

Protect the tube and avoid tankmates that nip at the exposed crown. Persistent retraction or loss of the crown calls for a check of feeding, disturbance, and water conditions. Keep copper-based medication out of its aquarium and avoid unnecessary repositioning once it has settled.