Feather duster worm colour change during feeding!!

FishyThoughts · Jan 9, 2025

Hi fellow reefers, I recently started my first salt water tank (Fluval spec 60) and I've added a feather duster worm to my tank. It took about 5 or so days to properly acclimate to my tank (such that the "feather dusters" are fully extended and look more fuller compared to when I first added it)

During feeding today, I payed extra attention to the worm and noticed it pulses to a darker shade during eating. It's the first time I've seen it so this! Has anyone else experienced this before? It's quite cool to see up close.

Edit: here's a link to the video, Feather duster pulsing

Tahoe61 · Jan 9, 2025

Now that's bizarre. I have never seen that before. Very cool, thank you for sharing.

:cool:

FishyThoughts · Jan 9, 2025

Tahoe61 said:
Now that's bizarre. I have never seen that before. Very cool, thank you for sharing.

:cool:

Quite a sight to behold! Not sure which feather duster it is but it was overlooked at the LFS for months probably due to it's dull colour and now it's showing its beauty in my tank!

Tahoe61 · Jan 9, 2025

FishyThoughts said:
Quite a sight to behold! Not sure which feather duster it is but it was overlooked at the LFS for months probably due to it's dull colour and now it's showing its beauty in my tank!

I would have never guessed they had the potential to do that. They must have Chromatophores, which seems odd considering it's the plume pulsating.

FishyThoughts · Jan 9, 2025

Tahoe61 said:
I would have never guessed they had the potential to do that. They must have Chromatophores, which seems odd considering it's the plume pulsating.

Quite odd indeed. A quick Google search suggests nothing that they contain Chromatophores. I'd love to know if other reefers have experienced this same phenomenon.