What's my feather duster doing??

I have a large feather duster that looks like it is shedding his skin. I'm not sure if that is the case or not. When I purchased it, I placed it on a rock with a small portion of it's "foot" showing. Now it has extended attaching itself to the rock leaving the rest of it's " empty looking shell." The crown is also extending out farther than normal. Can someone tell me what's going on?? Is it OK?? Thanks

 

That looks like a soft tubed worm to me. Mine like to be buried in the substrate.

When I put mine in, it buried most of it self and shedded whatever of the tube was left sticking out of the substrate. That foot sticking out needs to be able to bury itself.


My hard tubed worm, that's different. That's all on the rock.

 

I put mine on the substrate and it buried itself in a few days.. Try it..

Also, whats that little fish peeking out from his hole in the second picture.. I like it..

 

The actual worm itself has now attached itself along the rock it is sitting on. The exposed tube looks transparent (empty) and you can see that it looks like the worm is moving out of it. I'm just not sure what it is doing.

The guy at the LFS said that I should sit it on a rock and wait for it to attach itself. I placed it there and it decided to reposition itself to where it is now. The tail was tucked inside of the rock at first. I have had it a couple of weeks and now it looks this way.

 

The guy at the LFS said that one it attaches itself, not to move it or it would die. Thats why I haven't bothered it. It seems to be doing fine. Just never seen one do this or crown extend so far out.

The fish peeking out of the rock is a black sailfin blenny. Great algae eaters.

 

Here, read through this thread. I try to keep this thread active as a soft tubed feather duster resource as there aren't that many threads about them.

http://www.3reef.com/forums/inverts/soft-tube-feather-duster-62614.html

 

So attaching it to my head was a bad idea? Man, it looked so cool up there!

 

Your duster is fine. If he was unhappy he owuld not have attached to the rock. Your LFS was wrong, you can move the duster as long as you do not squeez the body of the duster inside.

If he is unhappy he *may* eject the head but do not touch the tube, his body is still inside and will grow another head in a few weeks. The tube will appear transparent while the duster at the top and more solid when he retracts. Sounds like all is good for you.

 

Thanks,..I appreciate everyone's input.

 

Well,...looks like my duster did loose it's crown. My concern now is, how is it supposed to filter feed? I still would like for it to be in the substrate, but it is attached pretty good to the rock. I don't like the way it looks just dangling there. It isn't even inside the part that is hanging there (attached along rock). Should I try to move it or just leave it alone?? What do you guys think?