Christmas tree worm long term success

ocram · 01/21/2016, 07:03 AM

Hi,

Christmas tree worms (spirobranchus giganteus) are generally considered as hard to keep and often perish within a year after having been introduced to a reef tank.

I would like to know if there are people who have long term success keeping them (and their host coral). Lets define long term as "more than two years".

If you have long term success, please tell us whats important in your experience and dont forget to also provide us with pictures

Looking forward to an interesting discussion!

Marco

Member No. 1 · 01/22/2016, 05:22 AM

I have one coming up on 1 year. This was a rescue that my LFS had given up on. Since in my care, I see more worms and the porites host has entrusted areas that were gone. This is a very slow growing coral. It was light brown, but lately it's taken on a nice green hue. I'll try to get an updated pics tonight.

ocram · 01/23/2016, 06:40 AM

Hi, sounds nice. Pucture would be great.

Member No. 1 · 01/23/2016, 03:06 PM

As requested.

ocram · 01/27/2016, 04:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Member No. 1

As requested.

nice

ReefRealEstate · 03/11/2016, 07:18 AM

Does the coral require really bright light or low light?

Member No. 1 · 03/15/2016, 03:21 AM

Sorry for the late reply.

Med to high light, acclimate slowly.

Med to high flow.

Redland · 07/11/2017, 09:56 PM

I just got similar looking Christmas tree worms. Have you been feeding them? How are they doing?

djbon · 07/12/2017, 12:10 AM

The secrets are:

1) Take care of the hosts - adequate light as stated above, adequate nutrients and good flow will ensure the porites survival

2) Feed the trees - broadcast feeding small particulate foods for filter feeders as recmmended

3) Predator free tank - anything that eats tube worms, feather dusters or like to pick on tube worms is not good

4) Placement - keep it away from other corals especially those with feeder tentacles

static916 · 07/13/2017, 02:40 PM

What are the predators for the tube worms?

ca1ore · 07/13/2017, 02:48 PM

I have had a couple of them in my frag tank now; one for about six months, the other for over a year. The porites coral has grown, and none of the worms have died. Whether survival of the worms is dependent upon the living coral is unclear to me. That always was the view, but I never saw a definitive view on it. Regardless, porities is a relatively easy coral to keep so that doesn't really seem like an obstacle. I think the bigger problem is predation of the worms from wrasses, angels or even grazing tangs; or at least irritation to the point that they shed the frilly head and starve. I have no predators in my frag tank; I also feed small particles 1-2 times per week.

Redland · 07/13/2017, 10:40 PM

Thanks for the info! What small particle foods are you feeding?

ca1ore · 07/14/2017, 09:31 PM

Rod's coral blend and reef roids.

01/21/2016, 07:03 AM	#1
ocram Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Switzerland, Zurich Posts: 62	Christmas tree worm long term success Hi, Christmas tree worms (spirobranchus giganteus) are generally considered as hard to keep and often perish within a year after having been introduced to a reef tank. I would like to know if there are people who have long term success keeping them (and their host coral). Lets define long term as "more than two years". If you have long term success, please tell us whats important in your experience and dont forget to also provide us with pictures Looking forward to an interesting discussion! Marco

01/22/2016, 05:22 AM	#2
Member No. 1 Ver. 2.1 Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Rehoboth, MA Posts: 1,803	I have one coming up on 1 year. This was a rescue that my LFS had given up on. Since in my care, I see more worms and the porites host has entrusted areas that were gone. This is a very slow growing coral. It was light brown, but lately it's taken on a nice green hue. I'll try to get an updated pics tonight. __________________ Pete "I never make mistakes... I thought I did once, but I was wrong" Current Tank Info: In the process - http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2661614

01/23/2016, 03:06 PM	#4
Member No. 1 Ver. 2.1 Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Rehoboth, MA Posts: 1,803	As requested. __________________ Pete "I never make mistakes... I thought I did once, but I was wrong" Current Tank Info: In the process - http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2661614

03/11/2016, 07:18 AM	#6
ReefRealEstate Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2016 Location: Calgary, Alberta, Canada Posts: 127	Does the coral require really bright light or low light? __________________ 64"x32"Hx30"D starphire glass. 2 Kessil AP700 ATI 250sk. Rock refugium, Calc, carbon, and pellet reactors, Apex Gold. 4 Jebao RW-15 Jebao 12000 pump. RO system for ATO tank & ASMWC - 30G QT Current Tank Info: New Build 270+- gallon

03/15/2016, 03:21 AM	#7
Member No. 1 Ver. 2.1 Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Rehoboth, MA Posts: 1,803	Sorry for the late reply. Med to high light, acclimate slowly. Med to high flow. __________________ Pete "I never make mistakes... I thought I did once, but I was wrong" Current Tank Info: In the process - http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2661614

01/23/2016, 06:40 AM	#3
ocram Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Switzerland, Zurich Posts: 62	Hi, sounds nice. Pucture would be great.

07/11/2017, 09:56 PM	#8
Redland Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2015 Posts: 31	I just got similar looking Christmas tree worms. Have you been feeding them? How are they doing?

07/12/2017, 12:10 AM	#9
djbon Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, MY Posts: 813	The secrets are: 1) Take care of the hosts - adequate light as stated above, adequate nutrients and good flow will ensure the porites survival 2) Feed the trees - broadcast feeding small particulate foods for filter feeders as recmmended 3) Predator free tank - anything that eats tube worms, feather dusters or like to pick on tube worms is not good 4) Placement - keep it away from other corals especially those with feeder tentacles __________________ 75 gallon DT, 5 gallon sump, DIY LED bar with moonlight, DIY Arduino controller Current Tank Info: 75 gallon/Arduino Controller

07/13/2017, 02:40 PM	#10
static916 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2016 Posts: 67	What are the predators for the tube worms?

07/13/2017, 02:48 PM	#11
ca1ore Grizzled & Cynical Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Stamford, CT Posts: 17,319	I have had a couple of them in my frag tank now; one for about six months, the other for over a year. The porites coral has grown, and none of the worms have died. Whether survival of the worms is dependent upon the living coral is unclear to me. That always was the view, but I never saw a definitive view on it. Regardless, porities is a relatively easy coral to keep so that doesn't really seem like an obstacle. I think the bigger problem is predation of the worms from wrasses, angels or even grazing tangs; or at least irritation to the point that they shed the frilly head and starve. I have no predators in my frag tank; I also feed small particles 1-2 times per week. __________________ Simon Got back into the hobby ..... planned to keep it simple ..... yeah, right ..... clearly I need a new plan! Pet peeve: anemones host clowns; clowns do not host anemones! Current Tank Info: 450 Reef; 120 refugium; 60 Frag Tank, 30 Introduction tank; multiple QTs

07/13/2017, 10:40 PM	#12
Redland Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2015 Posts: 31	Thanks for the info! What small particle foods are you feeding?

07/14/2017, 09:31 PM	#13
ca1ore Grizzled & Cynical Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Stamford, CT Posts: 17,319	Rod's coral blend and reef roids. __________________ Simon Got back into the hobby ..... planned to keep it simple ..... yeah, right ..... clearly I need a new plan! Pet peeve: anemones host clowns; clowns do not host anemones! Current Tank Info: 450 Reef; 120 refugium; 60 Frag Tank, 30 Introduction tank; multiple QTs