Encyclopaedia
Feather Duster Worm
Sabellastarte spectabilis
A popular marine filter-feeding tube worm with a beautiful crown of fan-like tentacles.
- Family
- Sabellidae
- Origin
- Oceano Indo-Pacifico tropicale
- Origin
- Tropical oceans and reefsExtra-Amazon South America
- Tank use
- Used in 0 tanks
Share
22 °C - 26 °C
8.1 - 8.4
Marine
Filtratore
Alta
Species description
Geographical Origin and Habitat: Broadly distributed throughout the tropical Indo-Pacific. Found wedged into crevices of coral reefs or anchored in sandy substrates.
Taxonomy: Member of the Sabellidae family. Constructs a soft, flexible protective tube out of mud, sand, and mucus.
Social Behavior: Peaceful and sessile. Retracts its colorful crown instantly into the tube when sensing shadows or vibrations.
Coloration and Sexual Dimorphism: Feathered crown features beautiful banding of brown, white, orange, and purple. No visible sexual dimorphism.
Care, breeding and tankmates
Tank Setup: Embed the tube securely in sandy substrates or wedge it gently within stable live rocks to prevent displacement.
Diet and Feeding: Obligate filter feeder. Feeds on phytoplankton, microplankton, and organic suspended particulates. Dose foods regularly near the crown.
Water Quality: Maintain standard marine parameters. High sensitivity to heavy metals, especially copper medications.
Compatibility and Tankmates: 100% reef-safe. Avoid keeping with predatory fish such as butterflyfish, triggerfish, or wrasses.
Aquarium Breeding: Broadcast spawners. Very low probability of successful reproduction in standard aquarium setups.
Risks and Diseases: Starvation or high stress can cause the worm to discard its crown. It can regenerate it if feeding and conditions improve.
Invertebrate profile
- Type
- Feather duster worm
- Diet
- Filtratore
- Ecological role
- Filtratore
- Minimum group
- 1
- Adult size
- 12 cm
- GH
- n/a
- KH
- 8 dKH - 12 dKH
- TDS
- n/a
- Copper
- Alta
- Shock sensitivity
- Alta
- Calcium and minerals
- Non richiede livelli elevati di calcio poichè il tubo è composto da fango e muco.
- Molting
- Non muta nel senso dei crostacei, ma può perdere e rigenerare la corona di tentacoli se stressato.
- Reproduction
- Specie a riproduzione sessuata con rilascio di larve planctoniche, riproduzione spontanea in vasca molto rara.
- Compatibility & tankmates
- Reef-safe al 100%. Evitare coinquilini predatori come pesci farfalla, granchi e pesci balestra.
Image gallery
Licensed images linked to the species or, when marked, to the closest representative taxon.
Related species
Other recommended species with similar care requirements and water parameters.
