Long-term success with Calcareous Tubeworm?

[Timothy Tom]

I purchased a red tubeworm ( Annelida; Polychaeta; Serpulidae)
approximately 5 months ago. Apparently these type of organisms do
best with directed feeding. I do observe it occassionally apparently
feeding by curling up its feathers, as well as expelling its small
pellet-like feces. I have attempted to directly feed it with Golden
pearls, but it does not appear to accept this (doesnt curl up).
Anyone have any long term success with this organism, and if so, are
directed feedings necessary. I have it near where my chiller output
reenters the tank, so I imagine it does get a constant current of
water. Thus far it appears unchanged from when I purchased it, and it
does go through periods throughout the day where it has full extension
of its feathers and periods where it is rectracted in its tube.

[PaulB]

I don't have any tube worms (other than the little ones that grow on every
surface), but I don't believe that they feed by curling their crown up.

They will only eat particles of a certain size, so you may want to do some
research.

http://www.wetwebmedia.com/feather.htm

http://bugs.bio.usyd.edu.au/Polychaetes/sabellid_feeding.htm


"Timothy Tom" > wrote in message
om...
> I purchased a red tubeworm ( Annelida; Polychaeta; Serpulidae)
> approximately 5 months ago. Apparently these type of organisms do
> best with directed feeding. I do observe it occassionally apparently
> feeding by curling up its feathers, as well as expelling its small
> pellet-like feces. I have attempted to directly feed it with Golden
> pearls, but it does not appear to accept this (doesnt curl up).
> Anyone have any long term success with this organism, and if so, are
> directed feedings necessary. I have it near where my chiller output
> reenters the tank, so I imagine it does get a constant current of
> water. Thus far it appears unchanged from when I purchased it, and it
> does go through periods throughout the day where it has full extension
> of its feathers and periods where it is rectracted in its tube.
>