The spectacular Coco feather duster worm creates a protective hard shell up to 8 inches long and comes in a wide variety of colors in alternating stripes. Common specimens are usually white sometimes with pale stripes.Feather duster worms are filter feeders and require frequent additions of phytoplankton in order to thrive. The visible part of the worm are its feeding tentacles and the rest of the worm is hidden within a protective tube. If there is not enough food it may 'drop' its tentacles and attempt to re-grow them. If stressed it may leave its tube, but if undisturbed it can create a new one. It is imperative when placing the worm into the water to rotate it to remove all air bubbles which may have become trapped inside the tube. It is completely harmless and has no sting. It should never be housed with predatory animals such as butterflyfish.
