Hey all,

I have had a fan worm in my tank for months now and its been doing fine, but today after a water change I checked my tank and it seems to have randomly and cleanly been decapitated.

Has anyone else had this happen? Could it be to do with a water change or could it be a fish that has collided with it fast?

Thanks

Yup, this happens all the time. When stressed they will throw their fan.... could be caused by the water change. It should grow back but if a stressful stimuli remains it will eventual die. But fans worms are not known for their longevity in home aquariums.

Ooo Speedy reply.

So it may not be dead? Just stressed?

I'm hoping it is fine, but it did seem to be ok for hours after the water change. I'm not sure what caused it.

Check your water parameters. Are they ok?

Ooo Speedy reply.

So it may not be dead? Just stressed?

I'm hoping it is fine, but it did seem to be ok for hours after the water change. I'm not sure what caused it.It's a common occurrence for feather dusters to drop the "duster". Actually the "duster" is their gills and food gathering device. Assuming they are health to begin with, they will develop another set of gills in a week or two. In the meantime check your water parameters as CarmieJo suggested. Feather Dusters are not known for their longevity in captivity, as dreams mentioned. However, I've had them live for years in my established reef systems. They are filter feeders and benefit greatly when you feed micro fine foods such as phytoplankton or simply stirring up the sediment in your aquarium.

Hope this helped.

Dick