Livestock | Marine | Marine Inverts and Snails | Worms

Keeping Fan Worms in Marine Aquariums

Fan worms, also known as feather duster worms, are beautiful and peaceful filter-feeding invertebrates that add movement, color, and interest to reef aquariums. Their delicate, feathery crowns extend from protective tubes, waving gently in the current as they filter plankton and nutrients from the water.

General Care Tips:
Fan worms prefer mature aquariums with stable water parameters, moderate to low flow, and clean, well-oxygenated water. Ideal conditions include temperatures between 72–81°F and a pH of 8.1–8.4. Many species anchor themselves into live rock, substrate, or artificial crevices and should be placed where they can remain undisturbed by aggressive tankmates or strong turbulence.

Feeding:
Fan worms are non-photosynthetic filter feeders and require regular supplementation of fine particulate foods. Feedings should include phytoplankton, marine snow, or specialized filter-feeder blends multiple times per week. In well-stocked tanks, they may also benefit from naturally suspended detritus and microfauna.

Compatibility and Behavior:
Fan worms are peaceful and fully reef safe. They coexist well with corals, fish, and other invertebrates, though care should be taken to avoid predatory fish like wrasses, butterflyfish, or some crabs that may nip at their crowns. If startled or harassed, fan worms will retract into their tubes—if stressed persistently, they may shed their crown and regenerate it later under good conditions.

Popular Species:

• Sabellastarte spp. (Feather Duster Worms): Large, colorful species with soft tubes, available in various color morphs like “coffee and cream” and gold.

• Bispira spp.: Smaller species with graceful, delicate spirals—such as pink & white or spiral varieties.

• Protula bispiralis (Hard Tube Feather Duster): Builds a calcareous tube, requiring stable calcium levels—very hardy once established.

• Christmas Tree Worms (Spirobranchus spp.): Found embedded in live rock or coral skeletons, very colorful but less common in aquaria.

Special Considerations:
Hard tube feather dusters (like Protula bispiralis) require consistent calcium and alkalinity levels for tube maintenance, much like stony corals and clams. All fan worms are sensitive to copper and should only be kept in reef-safe systems. Avoid strong direct flow and ensure regular target feeding, especially in nutrient-poor or highly filtered tanks.

Summary:
Fan worms are elegant, peaceful additions to reef aquariums that provide natural filtration and a calming visual effect. Their ease of compatibility and beautiful forms make them great for intermediate hobbyists looking to enhance biodiversity. With regular feeding and stable conditions, fan worms thrive and become long-lasting, captivating residents.