Tubeworm lost head!

[Mrspit66]

I just discovered my tubeworm lost his head, the fan. I know they can grow another one, but what do I watch for? How do I know if it's dead or growing another one??

Thanks!
Cathy

[K. Lee]

If your talking about the giant feather dusters, they usually come out the top/near side of the tube upon death. Depending on species, I'd guess a new crown will grow in 2 to 4 weeks. Shedding of the head is caused by stress, and/or malnourishment. A good featherduster food is phytoplankton.

[Mrspit66]

Originally posted by K. Lee
If your talking about the giant feather dusters, they usually come out the top/near side of the tube upon death. Depending on species, I'd guess a new crown will grow in 2 to 4 weeks. Shedding of the head is caused by stress, and/or malnourishment. A good featherduster food is phytoplankton.

Okay. So I'll watch it and hope the worm doesn't come out the side. Yes, it is a giant. I did know shedding is either due to stress or malnourishment. I don't believe it is stressed, because I haven't changed anything. I will get some phytoplankton. As its "head" is closed, how do I feed it? If I put the food down there, will it open up and eat? I can use a syringe as a feeder.

Thanks!
Cathy

[Preds]

I think fan shedding can also be to do with inefficiency of the old one, and also as a prelude to reproduction in some cases. It may not be bad, but the phyto certainly can't hurt.