First feather duster

I just got my first feather duster today. Should I be planting him in the DSB, or will he find his own way? I tried to kind of make a small hole and stick him in there a bit, but he doesn't really seem to be anchored much...

 

It'll attach on it's own. I have one at the base of a rock that I just layed there and it worked it's way under the rock a bit to attach. My other one I stuck in a hole about half way up the rock work and it attached there and cloned out a baby in less than a month.

 

oh and forgot to mention not to mess with it too much, you chance stressing it to death or cracking the tube which could kill it.

 

Good to know, thanks!

 

do they need any specific lighting/flow

 

They like being in an area with a decent flow on them, as they're filter feeders. Just don't put them right in front of the powerhead

 

+1 on above

they need a current to carry food particles to them, but if the feathers are being buffeted to much they dont appreciate it
tell tale signs like creases in the feathers from being bent backwards are an indicator there is to much flow heading straight at them IME


Steve

 

are you talking about a soft tubed feather or a hard tubed coco worm?

Also, do you have a DSB in your DT? Seems risky.

 

Oh, in terms of what to put it on:

I had huge trouble getting mine to stay on or in a rock. I eventually, after seeing it fall about four times, ended up burying all but 3-4 inches of its tube in the sand (not a DSB, just 3-4 inches for a jawfish with plenty of Nassarius Snails/Worms). It's been there ever since, and seems to be enjoying the decent flow and stability of not being moved.