Experience with Tube Worms

[Domino]

Hi!

I have a 4' FOWLR tank and to put some diversity and life in there, I've added some tubeworms. I find it very dificult to judge their wellbeing. mainly do they get enough food?

I have done a research on them and could not find a whole lot of information. In general it said that the water needs to be rich in nutriment. My current skimmer is a cheap jebo HOT which suks, so overskimming is not a issue here . I need to upgrade it.

The most common problem seems to be when they loose their crown or when they jump out of the tube. they have not done that yet... At the begining they were out all the time and now it seems that they get out less. Does this mean they're happy and they get enough food by being out less? or does it mean there's something wrong?

What is you experience with tube worms? Do you have any advice on how to keep them?

for the help

[Gouldian]

Hi Domino,

By mentioning tube worm I guess you are referring to Feather Dusters rather than Coco worms.

IMO, FDs are very easy to care for, they will just filter feed constantly from your water. Thus there are'nt much stuff you need to do, except making sure that they are not harrass by fishes, shrimps or water flow.

As for Coco, they needs more care as compared to the FD, they are hobbyists that do regular direct feedings in order to keep them healthy. They are also the ones that frequently "loses their heads". If you are keeping coco, you will also need to do some form of suplementation of calcium as they require calcium for their tube.

The diffrence between the two is easy. FDs live in soft tubes while coco's tube are hard.

Hope this helps,

[Domino]

Thanks Gouldian!!

Yes, I did mean FD. Well, you reassure me.

I've seen some coco worms in LFS, but did not buy them as I have not researched them yet. I have not started bothering with calcium levels yet ... I'm taking it slowly. My GF is the impatient one who keeps wanting to add stuff in there just because it looks nice.

I resist!

[Gouldian]

My GF is the impatient one who keeps wanting to add stuff in there just because it looks nice.

I resist!

That's the norm bro.

Sometimes I even have to flat out reject their enthusiasm.