Featherduster hitchhiker

[themadman]

Ok so I'm very excited to find a very tiny hitchhiker on my live rock. I'm about a month into my first saltwater tank. Most the worms etc didn't survive the ammonia spike during cycle but as my tank stabilized I have found more and more survivors. I just spotted this tiny tiny bright red Featherduster in a small tube in the live rock. It sucked itself in when I shined my phone led at it. My question is will it grow bigger there? It's kind of in a small indention in the rock. Are they capable of moving or is that just where it should/will remain?

 

[Naiad]

Most don't get very big but you will likely see many more. They can move but only in very stressful situations. Similar to polyp bailout on corals it is a last ditch effort to survive.

 

[themadman]

Most don't get very big but you will likely see many more. They can move but only in very stressful situations. Similar to polyp bailout on corals it is a last ditch effort to survive.

Thanks for info and reply! So likely to see many more due to the fact they are there and I just haven't spotted them or are they able to multiply? It was very cool for me to find this fella. It's been right in front of my face this whole time I guess. Lol

 

[tankstudy]

They will eventually be everywhere, especially if you feed a lot of fine or powdered sized foods.

 

[Naiad]

Thanks for info and reply! So likely to see many more due to the fact they are there and I just haven't spotted them or are they able to multiply? It was very cool for me to find this fella. It's been right in front of my face this whole time I guess. Lol

Both. There are very likely more and they will spawn in captivity. Feed coral foods and they will be happy. Though some fish will eat them so that can keep numbers down.