Duster radioles shortening?

I have a fether duster and it has been doing great....the radioles were about 2.5 to 3 inches (radius not diameter). We went to the beach this weekend and when we got home I checked up on my buddies in the tank and all were well and seemed happy. The duster's radioles looked shorter, but I thought he was just coming out and hadn't fully extended. After a few minutes I came back and still the same size, so i looked at it more closely and the radioles looked shortened, more stubby and less flowing like before (3 days earlier). The only diffferences in the tank with in the last 2 weeks is that I have added a Red Sea wave maker and two more PJ1200s for ebb and flo reasons. Everything had to adjust from the low flow to the moderate flow but they all seemed to adapt and enjoy the "truer" world they were living in. I have heard and read that dusters will shed their radioles if stressed, but there are no shedding radioles and his crown is as full as before, just stubby and not flowingly long. Would the duster compact the radioles to compensate for the new flow? Would he elongate them again if moved to a less flowing area? Thanks for all input!

 

Have any fish messing with him? Clowns particularly like messing with dusters. If he sheds his crown, he will toss the entire thing and will not shorten it. The feather duster can extend them if the flow is stronger, dont know if he can shorten them although there is a good possibility that he might have that capability. If he still comes out, I wouldn't worry about it.

 

No rashr they can not shorten the radioles. Thye can end up shorter as rick stated " fish messing" with them. However, the tips can also deteriorate ==> shorter. This is often an early sign that they are getting ready to toss/shed the top. Or a sign that they are sick, hard to tell and all on can do is wait.

have added a Red Sea wave maker and two more PJ1200s for ebb and flo reasons

He may be making adjustments to the crown, shedding, due to this for better food collection, as you have changed the flow rate. If he is, the new top will look a little different. Lets hope that is what it is

 

Just to update you.....my feather duster is doing great. Evidently the radioles were adjusting to the water flow. They are now fuller (not longer but fuller) than before and are out and healthy looking. Thanks for all the help and advice!