Care
Giant Feather Duster Worms are amongst some of the most bizarre and beautiful of marine creatures. These mesmerising animals are members of the vast Phylum annelida (currently encompassing some 17,000 species), which means they are very distantly related to earthworms; however, they are further classified within the Class Polychaeta (marine worms), Order Sabellida (filter feeders), and Family Sabellidae (sedentary tube worms). As with their distant relatives, the earthworms, they possess a segmented body, though unlike earthworms, they are sessile rather than free-living, and are protected within a parchment-like tube that typically sits partially buried within sediments on the substrate. The head is mostly concealed by feathery branchiae (radioles) which together form a 'crown' when fully extended, and are used for both respiration and feeding. Cilia on the branchiae catch miniscule food particles as they float past, and these are then channelled towards the central mouth. Larger non-food particles are combined with mucus and are used to maintain and build the tube. Unfortunately, Giant Feather Duster Worms are not easy to maintain in captivity, with modern advancements in skimming technology (and associated low nutrient levels), so we would recommend them for advanced aquarists only. The aquarium should be mature - which hopefully ensures the presence of some natural planktonic foods - and have a decent open sand bed in addition to areas of living rock/corals. The sand should be deep enough for the majority of the tube to be buried; in nature, these fanworms typically bury in sediments with about 1.5cm (0.6") of the tube projecting above the substrate. Tankmates should be of a peaceful temperament and not pose a threat to the worms when the crown is extended, otherwise they will retract and be unable to feed, so research companions very carefully. Very regular target feeding is absolutely essential with regards to the ongoing care of Giant Feather Duster Worms, and this can be achieved by using a turkey baster to gently deliver planktonic foodstuffs under and around the crown. Be careful not to blast the food directly into the top of the crown as this will cause it to retract and the animal will then miss the majority of the food. When purchasing or moving Giant Feather Duster Worms, do not lift clear of the water, but submerge a container or bag into the water and place inside - this is because any air that becomes trapped in the tube could cause them problems. As fanworms are very sensitive to changes in water chemistry, acclimatise very carefully, using the drip method over several hours. If conditions become unfavourable within the aquarium, the fanworm may shed its crown. However, if conditions are corrected, this may not always be terminal, as the fanworm is capable of regenerating the crown in a matter of weeks under appropriate conditions. Naturally, however, it is best to keep a strict eye on conditions on an ongoing basis to ensure this does not happen in the first place. Never use copper medications in an aquarium containing feather duster worms.
Feeding
Feeds on particulate organic material and phytoplankton. Not photosynthetic and must catch food to survive. Requires very regular target feedings.
Breeding
Most species of Giant Feather Duster Worms are usually either male or female, and can reproduce sexually, the gametes maturing in the coelom before being released into the water column. Fertilisation is external, and after a short time in the plankton, the trochophore larvae settle out and grow into adult worms. As these creatures are capable of regenerating body parts after being damaged, they can also reproduce asexually by fragmentation.
