Feather Duster

Just got dusters yesterday. One has lost it's plume last night and today has completely came out of the tube. Anything I can do? Also, how long does it take plume to regrow as another lost it's also.
Thanks

 

Yikes. I have had dusters before. One of mine came out of it's tube too (after several months, though). I'm pretty sure once that happens it's over. Sorry!

 

Dont panic, if the worm leaves the tube, gently brush sand over it. Just enough to bury it. I had the same thing happen about 8 months ago. Like you i was worried, but i was told to bury it gently. And to this day it lives on. It now pokes its crown out of the sand. Mine has even started to somehow make a new tube.

 

I'm with Trizzot. Don't give up just yet. Mine just did the same thing, and it took a couple weeks to grow a new set of "feathers". It also had another tube I found in the sand.
Good luck.

 

Thanks all.
How do I know if the 2 worms are alive? The one that lost plume still moving and now it hasn't for hours. The one that came out of tube is back in but not sticking its head out either or showing any signs of movement. I buried worm replaced in tube in sand.

 

Also my bi-color keeps backing in one of the tubes with the worm in it. Will this disturb the worm to death?

 

I had this same thing happen to my feather duster and researched this. The worm had been in my tank for 2 moths before it got upset. Unfortunately the outcome was worse, my worm died. Losing a crown is a sign of stress as is leaving its tube. But if the stress persists I think that it could end up badly. In my case I think it was an emerald crab that was trying to eat it. Hopefully yours is just a temporary stress

 

You dont have to spread sand on it. I had one that kinda wandered out of it's tube, picked a spot within my rock and then made it's tube. Once it finishes it's tube, he'll start making his crown. It'll take about a month before you see the new crown. ;]

You can also pick him up and wedge him gently between rock so he can wander along the rock by himself.

 

This thread started just in time. I got one today because it was cheaper than every other store I've been to. I spend one hour just to find it a good spot.
Now I know not to worry (too much) if he leaves his tube.

 

Bad news. Both worms dead. Luckily, I decided to check them out and touch them to see if I felt movement. I didn't and then picked them up and the smell was terrible. Just glad I checked and got them out quickly.