Feather Duster Worm - Is the whole "stick" alive???

[sandy7263]

I just got 2 new feather dusters. A Hawaiian and a dwarf pink and white. I know the "stick" part is created from the worm secreting something which forms the "stick" to protect it. Does the whole stick contain the worm or only the end near the head.

Just curious because it is awful long and am scared if the end breaks I will kill the worm.

:uhoh3:

 

[Calappidae]

Picture it like a hard boiled egg shell, if it cracks or breaks, the more flexible inside will remain intact, in other words if you accidentally chip it, the worm should be perfectly fine.. but I wouldn't purposely break it for any reason, just bury or hide the rest if you don't like it.

 

[Reef Frog]

Unless the tube is really short, the worm is at the open end. I saw one ejected and it was maybe 3" long & brown. Ugly bugger.