Cluster Duster

 Quick Care Facts

• Care Level: Moderate   • Temperament: Peaceful   • Maximum Size: 1"
• Diet: Omnivore (filter feeder)   • Aquarium Level: Substrate & Rocks   • Minimum Tank Size: 12 gallons
 • Reef Compatible: Yes   • Water Conditions: 72-78° F, dKH 8-12, pH 8.1-8.4, sg 1.023-1.025
• Supplements: None   • Coloration: Varies
• Origin: Caribbean, Mediterranean, Indo-Pacific • Family: Sabellidae   • Species: Fan Worms

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Cluster Dusters grow as a mass of individual small tubeworms, sometimes totaling over 100 individuals in a single clump. The base of their tubes will anchor them to a piece of live rock or base rock in a shaded or somewhat protected area of the aquarium. Cluster Dusters are normally found in the aquarium store as several individuals attached to a small piece of rock or live rock rubble.

They should always be placed in areas both shaded from direct lighting and from direct water flow as this species prefers a more gently water flow. Cluster Dusters although very attractive can be difficult to keep in the aquarium environment and is suitable only for advanced reef aquarium hobbyists with established aquariums.

In the reef aquarium, Cluster Dusters will require space under an overhanging rock or coral, with a gentle current delivering their planktonic meals. They will not do well if in direct high intensity lighting or with high water movement. Since they need plankton in their diet, they will do best in an established mature reef aquarium.

Their combined mass of colorful radioles will filter out the available floating plankton, but can also be withdrawn into the parchment tubes if threatened, which is often the case as this species is easily alarmed. If they become continually frightened or subjected to poor water quality, they may discard their radioles (fan tentacles), which will only be re-grown under proper conditions.

The mass of their tubes is somewhat delicate, so care should be taken while transporting them. They should not be housed with predatory fish, serpent stars, urchins or any other invertebrate that may break them apart. Their diet should also be supplemented with liquid plankton solutions for continued well-rounded nutrition and overall health.

The Cluster Duster is purely a filter feeding species whose diet should consist of plankton foods in the currents and should be supplemented with liquid plankton-based foods. This somewhat specialized diet make this species suitable for intermediate to advanced reef keepers only.

Requires moderate, varied water flow (filter feeder).