ID a few inverts please?

[Myka]

I bought some snails as Trochus snails, I'd just like to make sure they are what the LFS said they are! I Googled them, and Trochus seem to vary quite a bit.

Also I have a couple feather dusters (one lime green, one dark purple) that I'd like to know the species of at least. I actually can't get a pic of the purple duster right now...so please check back for it.

A third is my Xenia...should be in the corals forums...but you guys might know anyway! It was sold to me as a Pulsing Xenia, but it doesn't pulse.

Thanks for any help!

 

[kmk2307]

I think the snails are really a species of Astrea. LeslieH is an annelid expert. She could ID the worms for you probably. Family Sabellidae. The Xenia probably has the ability to pulse but water chemistry and light intensity have a big effect on it. What are your calcium, alk, and pH?

 

[LeslieH]

Feather dusters belong to two families - Sabellidae & Serpulidae. Species of both can burrow into solid rock or take over existing burrows. It's usually hard to know which is which without a look at the tube. The solidified mucus tubes of sabellids feel soft or leathery while the calcium carbonate serpulid tubes are hard to the touch. Sometimes I can guess at genus or even species if there's something unique but most often identification requires looking at the specimen under a microscope.

 

[Myka]

Wow! Thanks Leslie! Both tubes are soft and leathery.

kmk: Nooooooo! I didn't want Astreas!!!! Ack! I don't test my water for Alk or Cal yet, getting tests for that in the next couple weeks...waiting for a couple pieces of livestock to be in stock before I make an order. My pH is 8.0, I might work on raising once I find out what my Cal and Alk are...or I might just leave it be.

I got a pic of the purple duster. I guess my only question with him now is: Why does the end of his feathers curl? They didn't do that in the pet store.

 

[Myka]

Any more opinions on the snails?? Or comments on why the purple feather duster has curly tips?

Btw...the Xenia started pulsing today! I think it likes the new lighting!

 

[edwing206]

maybe he's hungry?

 

[petoonia]

My xenia wont pulse when they're in a higher flow area of the tank.

 

[Myka]

Petoonia: My Xenia was a LOT happier when my AquaClear overflowed and I unplugged it. I also got new lighting, so I think the combination of the two made him real happy!

edwing: When the feather duster was caught for me he wasn't curly. When I put him in my tank and he opened up he was curly. However, he didn't pull himself in all the way while he was in the bag...he was always sticking out about 1/4"...maybe he got damaged a bit...?