Anyone know about Christmas Tree Worms?

I got this Christmas Tree Coral, so it was sold to me as.....looks nothing like a Christmas Tree Coral. So, I started researching the internet and found that it was called Christmas Tree Worm Rock. I have seen these called SPS corals requiring high lighting and also that they like shaddy spots under ledges. Can anyone tell me the preferences of this critter? That brown stuff in the picture is kinda hard like some SPS corals. I have had it on the bottom and the top of my tank, haven't noticed much difference. However, it is a great indicator of stress as it develops this thin layer of film on it and then releases it as it calms down. Really weird critter!

 

Wow thats a nice piece you got there, my LFS only sells em 1 to a rock. They are tube worms and filter feed, so they arent photosynthesetic, but they look much better under any kind of light, lol.

 

Very pretty!

Nice find.

 

That looks awesome....

 

Awesome find....8)

 

Christmas tree worms are almost always found in porites corals (like yours are) so it is the coral that needs the intense lighting. If the coral dies, the worms will follow suit shortly thereafter. Get yourself some live phytoplankton to feed the worms.

 

Only sell them one to a rock? How does your LFS get the worms to pack up and go populate single family rocks?

The worms unfortunately won't last very long more than likely. A few months, perhaps you'll get a little more. Then you're left with the brown rock. Target feeding them will definitely add to their life expectancy but don't expect miracles.

It's too bad, they really are nice looking.

 

You've never had any luck with them JP?

 

Nope, always end up dieing. Living long term seems to be the exception rather than the rule.

 

I only tried them once when I was still a newb so I assumed it was my lack of husbandry skills that killed them. Shame they're so hard to keep because they really are pretty.