Whelp I think my feather duster replicated I think?

[TTipsyDragon]

So I think I have tons of baby feather dusters now. Don't know how since I only have 1 in my tank. Photos are blurry because they are in hard to photograph spots. It's about 10mm spread of their feathers so far.

 

[TTipsyDragon]

Here's mama

 

[Formulator]

Its hard to tell in the photos and I have no idea your experience level, so I’m sorry if this is insulting - are you sure they aren’t aiptasia?

I do think dusters can reproduce asexually, but it is rare and physically difficult so most common observations of reproduction in our tanks involves a community spawning event which requires more than one parent.

There’s a great article here with more details:https://reefs.com/magazine/aquarium-invertebrates-featherdusters-in-the-aquarium/

 

[TTipsyDragon]

Its hard to tell in the photos and I have no idea your experience level, so I’m sorry if this is insulting - are you sure they aren’t aiptasia?

I do think dusters can reproduce asexually, but it is rare and physically difficult so most common observations of reproduction in our tanks involves a community spawning event which requires more than one parent.

There’s a great article here with more details:https://reefs.com/magazine/aquarium-invertebrates-featherdusters-in-the-aquarium/

No problem, definitely not aiptasia. They have tubes and retract quickly with the slightest movement. The feathers are even the same color as the parent.

 

[TTipsyDragon]

 

[TTipsyDragon]

If you watch the bottom of the snail you will see a tiny one retract

 

[TTipsyDragon]

 

[TTipsyDragon]

Its hard to tell in the photos and I have no idea your experience level, so I’m sorry if this is insulting - are you sure they aren’t aiptasia?

I do think dusters can reproduce asexually, but it is rare and physically difficult so most common observations of reproduction in our tanks involves a community spawning event which requires more than one parent.

There’s a great article here with more details:https://reefs.com/magazine/aquarium-invertebrates-featherdusters-in-the-aquarium/

What's interesting about the article is they said it would spawn right next to each other. These are everywhere in my sump and next to a return head

 

[SomeHappyFish]

How long has it been in the tank? :)

 

[TTipsyDragon]

How long has it been in the tank? :)

I have had it for almost two years now, it has been in this tank for about 6 months now

 

[SomeHappyFish]

How long has it been in the tank? :)

I have had it for almost two years now, it has been in this tank for about 6 months now

Cool!

 

[Formulator]

What's interesting about the article is they said it would spawn right next to each other. These are everywhere in my sump and next to a return head

Right, the way I read it - when they reproduce asexually they should be right next to each other. But sexual reproduction they actually have a free swimming larval stage which can result in them popping up all over the tank. So it would seem you had at least 2. Maybe a super lucky hitchhiker?

 

[TTipsyDragon]

I wanted to give some growth photo updates