feather duster question?

[deacon hemp]

Ok ive had this huge feather duster for a probably 4 months with

it being mint condition,i also added another smaller one 2 months ago.The smaller 1 lost its feather after a week and now the older

bigger ones feather looks as if its almost been eatin away a bit

and every day its getting worse.could a large cleaner shrimp

do this?and my water is not to blame!

[OscarBeast]

They might be starving to death. From what Dr. Ron says, these are common symptoms of a starving feather dusters. I would search the reefcentral forum. I know he put out an article in one of my fish magizines a few months ago.

 

I have always fed DTs to give them a boost.

[deacon hemp]

Thanks,ya no what yer probably right becasause i haven't had dt's in a week and a half. dam

[OscarBeast]

Just don't toss them out though. They should grow back their crowns.

[reefguru21]

you need to feed the poor guy phytoplankton or invert foods either the live or they die usually they die in the condition you discribed

[Caesar]

where does one get DT Phytoplankton. I haven't seen any at my lfs

[MrConclusion]

If the duster shed its feathers, it is probably not dead. They will actually grow another set, sometimes three or four total, before they starve. You need the FINEST particle food like DT's or at least bottled KENT phyto and no particle filter on the tank.

[Korbin]

My first thought was that you may have introduced a parasite or predator with the second feather duster. I dont know what that would be though...