Feather Duster help!!

[ThatDarnDragon]

I woke up this morning, to find my feather duster's crown on the floor. I know they lose their crown when they get scared. Yet, I found a peice of crushed coral (not very heavy) had fallen on it.

How can I tell if its still alive or not? I hope its still alive, its my first duster and the prettiest one too.

And if I find its still alive, how long would it take for it to grow a new crown?

 

[Navarre]

THey do this periodically.

Once the crown gets damage or no longer wors as efficiently then they shed them and make new ones.

It is also a sign of stress so i would watch it over the coming weeks.

Nothing much you can do except wath and wait really

I would continue to feed with any ivert food yoou are already. Live Phytoplankton is a good food also.

 

[The Reefer]

Exactly, my feather duster has done this many times. It will grow back, it just takes a bit of time. The last time it happened, the feathers came back bigger and more colorful than the first time.

 

[ThatDarnDragon]

I think you guys failed to note: A rock has fallen on it. which is why Im asking how I can tell if its dead or not

 

[Opcn]

A rock fell onto the tube crushing it? or a peble fell onto the fallen crown, if its the latter no worries, if something is on the floor in a tank its very easy for a small lightweight piece f substrate to get swept up onto it.

 

[The Reefer]

I think it will be fine

 

[ThatDarnDragon]

a rock fell on the tube, I cant tell if its 'crushed', but it fell on the softer part, where the 'clear' meets the 'colored' part of the tube (not the worm itself I dont know if it fell on the worm itself.

Ill keep an eye on it for awhile to see what happens. whats the estimated time frame for the crown to grow back?

 

[The Reefer]

From what I've seen of mine.. the crown could take a week or two

 

[Opcn]

If the rock hurt the worm then there is nothing you can do, so don't worry about it, just make sure your rockwork is stable for the future

 

[Aquascaper]

Touch the tube and/or gently squeeze it down the length (if you can), if it twitches it's alive - sounds simple but it works

 

[ThatDarnDragon]

thanks Aqua for answering my question properly and with that, the worm did move, so I know its alive. Thanks alot, Aqua!

 

[Opcn]

The old poke em with a stick trick, good call.