Coco Worm Trouble

SpateD · #1 03-22-2010, 05:32 AM

I have a coco worm that was doing awesome in my buddies 40 gallon tank that was about a month old, I brought it into my 10 gallon when I had the ammonia level in check, he did great for about 2 days.

While moving him out of the flow of the powerhead, the top of his shell cracked. Ever since then, he only came out once to check it out after it happened. Now he's been in the shell pretty much all day. He rarely comes out, and when he does he doesn't show all his ''fingers'' or ''feathers'' or whatever they are are usually all tucked up.

I'm worried he might be dying. Before I go spend money on chemicals to put in the water, just hoping for some ideas of what you guys think I should do?! I've checked my Ammonia, Nitrites and Nitrates, and all seem to be 0 except the ammonia is like .05 maybe. He's only came out twice today.

whatcaneyedo · #2 03-22-2010, 02:36 PM

Try giving it to someone more experianced with a mature tank, preferably someone who feeds live phytoplankton. These worms require a lot of particulate organic matter and phytoplankton to survive in a closed system and will starve to death in a few months to a year without it.

fishytime · #3 03-22-2010, 03:01 PM

how new is your tank???? they really do better in a more mature system..... they are rather sensitive to water conditions.....if your tank is new, I would definitely recommend re-homing it to someone with a mature tank while your tank settles down

SpateD · #4 03-22-2010, 03:07 PM

My tank is over a month and a half old, and all levels seem to be in check. I was thinking of buying some of the phytoplankton liquid, but I want to know if theres something else to do before I spend a bunch of cash on things that won't work.

hillbillyreefer · #5 03-22-2010, 03:45 PM

A month and a half old is not an established tank. I made the same mistake when starting out too. Try and find someone who can take care of it while your tank matures a bit. Then bring it home and have another try. At the very least get some phyto and try it.

Good luck, and remember nothing good ever happens fast in this hobby.

SpateD · #6 03-22-2010, 03:59 PM

The only thing is, my friends tank, who it was thriving in for a week. His tank was only a month old. I have zoa's and mushrooms living in my tank who are thriving, and hermit crabs and a cleaner shrimp.

NU-2reef · #7 03-23-2010, 12:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SpateD

I have a coco worm that was doing awesome in my buddies 40 gallon tank that was about a month old, I brought it into my 10 gallon when I had the ammonia level in check, he did great for about 2 days.

While moving him out of the flow of the powerhead, the top of his shell cracked. Ever since then, he only came out once to check it out after it happened. Now he's been in the shell pretty much all day. He rarely comes out, and when he does he doesn't show all his ''fingers'' or ''feathers'' or whatever they are are usually all tucked up.

I'm worried he might be dying. Before I go spend money on chemicals to put in the water, just hoping for some ideas of what you guys think I should do?! I've checked my Ammonia, Nitrites and Nitrates, and all seem to be 0 except the ammonia is like .05 maybe. He's only came out twice today.

i agree with others on your tank being too young. i personally waited a year and some before i decided to get one. dont worry about the crack on the worms tubing, the worm will repair it its self. as long as proper alk/cal/mag are in check.

the fact that a friend had it in his tank for a few weeks means very little. it takes quite some time for the worm to starve to death. it could be that the worm was weak when you got it and is just getting weaker. if you can't get the worm to a more established tank you need to supplement with some phyto.

dont start buying any chemical compounds when you're unsure of what the issue is. get some phyto and mix with tank water and gently target feed with a turkey baster. turn off the powerhead while doing this. or spray upstream from the current to it can catch particles from the current

SpateD · #8 03-23-2010, 12:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NU-2reef

get some phyto and mix with tank water and gently target feed with a turkey baster. turn off the powerhead while doing this. or spray upstream from the current to it can catch particles from the current

The only problem I see with this is that the worm isn't coming out to even catch any particles... All I can think of is slowing putting the phyto into the tube. Maybe it will draw him out.

NU-2reef · #9 03-23-2010, 01:00 AM

give it a chance the worm will sense the phyto floating and may intice it to come out. i have several worms in my tank and for the most part of the begining days, it stayed inside its tube only peaking out about half an inch. but a few more days of teasing it with food the worm is out all day everyday. btw i fed marine snow. good alternative to live phyto culture

Marlin65 · #10 03-23-2010, 01:44 AM

Brightwells makes a few different sizes of food for them I use reef snow and Zooplanktos-m but I use it for my SPS. Out of those sizes of Zoo-plankton so you would need to find the best size for coco worms.
If you find out let me know I aways wanted one but heard they are hard to keep alive.