Secrets to keeping feather duster worms?

[EMeyer]

I've tried repeatedly to keep these worms (feather dusters, sold as "Sabellastarte sp") without success so I'm wondering if anyone has found a secret to success.

I've tried this in two different tanks, from several suppliers, across multiple orders. Altogether I've probably tried 6 worms over the past year. Theyve lasted weeks to at most a couple months. I've tried feeding daily with small particle dried foods (e.g. dried phytoplankton, reef chili) and with live phytoplankton (I may have a bit of a problem; I culture several kinds of plankton in my home for feeding various animals). One of my tanks has normal reef tank parameters (water conditions, light, flow), and one is more lagoon (low flow and light, soft corals and macroalgae). Lots of other animals are alive and happy in both tanks (the reef tank is nearly 2 years old, lagoon tank about 6 months).

Admittedly 6 worms is a low N but I cant find any factors that seem to make a difference in survival, or any conditions that keep these worms alive long term.

Any feather duster gurus out there? Whats the secret to keeping these guys?

Thanks for any ideas!

 

[djbon]

Low laminar flow and preferably no fishes. Passing by fishes, especially those with the tendency to nib or eat worms will make them stressed. Are they loosing their crown?.

 

[ca1ore]

Yeah, it's low flow, adequate small particulate foods and no animals to nibble off the feathers.

 

[Vio]

i got 3 coco w. for some reason love Bio Pellets , clams also , i see fresh white shell grow up , years a go one grow 3 ", i think they don't like to move around, try to find a good place and live it there. i use frozen food for fish, i guess they like the juice from that also.

 

[EMeyer]

Nice to hear people think predators are an important factor, since I can control that. Yes, in all cases the plume was lost before the worm died. In two cases it grew back and lived for another month or more.

I've witnessed peppermint shrimp picking at feather dusters in both tanks, and saw large bristle worms attacking my feather dusters in the lagoon tank while they were alive and healthy. [I know that statement will attract the wrath of the bristleworm police, but I choose to believe my lyin eyes on this one]

Anyone else ever witness problems with bristleworms or peppermints attacking feather dusters?