Social feather duster
Bispira brunnea
Social feather duster
Bispira brunnea
Sabellidae (Feather duster worms)
These tubeworms builds tubes out of a tough, parchment-like exudate. The genus Glomerula secretes a tube of calcium carbonate instead.
Feather-duster worms have a crown of feeding tentacles projecting from their tubes.
These worms feed on phytoplankton and zooplankton and are not photosynthetic animals. In most aquariums they require target feeding with a mix of plankton.
Numerous species of fish and shrimp tend to bother these worms in an attempt to eat the crown which may eventually kill the worm.
Some predators to keep in mind are triggerfishes, wrasses, angelfishes and butterflyfishes.
If the worm looses the crown it may grow back in a month or two if conditions are optimal.
