Family Sabellidae

Bispira brunnea

(Treadwell, 1917)

Duster Cluster

Likely Reef Tank Suitable

Likely Fish-Only Tank Suitable

Range: Western Atlantic Ocean: Caribbean, Bahamas, and to Colombia.

Natural Environment: Inhabits rubble areas along coastal reefs.

General Husbandry: Occasionally seen in the home aquarium trade.

Generally found in the wild attached to live rock, therefore, probably better if loose specimens are glued (cyanoacrylate gels) to existing rock in the aquarium.

Provided phytoplankton feedings once every few days. Reproduces by fission.

These feeding solutions should be applied near and under the crown of feathers so it can normally be drawn up and to the beating cilia on the feathers.

Taxonomy:

Kingdom: Animalia

Phylum: Annelida

Class: Polychaeta

Order: Sabellida

Family: Sabellidae

Genus: Bispira

FYI: They live in a cluster of membrane-like sand and mud encrusted tubes. Individuals have single crowns, usually a light tan with white at the tips of the tentacle. Varies in size, yet crowns usually do not exceed 1 inch (2.5 cm).

When it comes to keeping any of the ornamental type worms, predators like triggerfish, wrasses, angelfish, most shrimp, and the arrow crab will not make suitable tankmates.

Experience Level: Intermediate

Diet: Filter feeder

Aquarium Environment: Reef or fish-only aquarium

Coral Safe: Yes

Fish Safe: Yes

Invertebrate Safe: Yes

Acclimation Time: >15 minutes.

Aquarium Hardiness: Moderate

Temperature Range: 72 - 79°F (22 - 26°C)

Minimum Tank Size: 30 gallons

Lighting: PAR ratings N/A

Water Movement: WM 1 - 2