{"product_id":"coco-worm-protula-bispiralis-saltwater","title":"Coco Worm (Protula bispiralis)","description":"\u003cdiv style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif;color:#1a1a1a;max-width:860px;line-height:1.7;\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"background:#FBE9E7;border-left:4px solid #D84315;padding:10px 14px;margin:0 0 14px;font-size:0.95em;\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eIn-store pickup only.\u003c\/strong\u003e Your order is reserved, we hold off on bagging until you arrive so it stays healthy in its display tank.\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe \u003cstrong\u003eCoco Worm\u003c\/strong\u003e (\u003cem\u003eProtula bispiralis\u003c\/em\u003e) is a hard tube feather duster that builds a solid, calcareous white tube and unfurls a double spiral crown of feathery pink and white radioles from the end of it. Touch the water near it and the whole crown snaps back into the tube in a blink, then slowly blooms open again. This one is a pink crowned specimen. It is completely peaceful and reef safe, and it adds a moving, flower-like focal point to rockwork that no coral quite matches. Browse the rest of our \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/collections\/freshwater-invertebrates\"\u003einvertebrates\u003c\/a\u003e and our \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/collections\/salt-water\"\u003esaltwater livestock and supplies\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBe honest with yourself about one thing before you buy: a coco worm is a pure filter feeder. It has no symbiotic algae and gets nothing from your lights, so it lives on the fine particles in your water. In a young or very clean tank it slowly starves. In a mature reef where you feed phytoplankton and fine foods, it can live for years.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"margin:14px 0 4px;font-size:1.05em;font-weight:600;line-height:1.25;border-left:4px solid #D84315;padding-left:8px;\"\u003eCare Guide\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMature tank:\u003c\/strong\u003e six months or more with plenty of live rock. Established systems carry the natural plankton and bacteria that a filter feeder depends on.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eTank size:\u003c\/strong\u003e 30 gallons or larger. Bigger, older systems are more forgiving.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFeeding:\u003c\/strong\u003e this is the whole game. Dose live or concentrated phytoplankton and fine particulate foods such as rotifers, oyster eggs, or copepods several times a week. For best results, shut off pumps for 15 to 20 minutes and gently puff food toward the open crown with a feeder.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFlow:\u003c\/strong\u003e moderate and indirect, enough to carry food past the crown without bending it over or blasting it closed.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePlacement:\u003c\/strong\u003e wedge the tube into a rock crevice or lean it into rubble with the crown pointing up and out. Do not bury the base deep in fine sand, where it can suffocate.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eLighting:\u003c\/strong\u003e not needed. Place it wherever flow and access suit it, including shaded overhangs.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWater:\u003c\/strong\u003e 74 to 80°F, salinity 1.023 to 1.026, pH 8.1 to 8.4, zero copper. Drip acclimate slowly and keep the tube submerged when you move it.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCrown loss:\u003c\/strong\u003e a stressed coco worm may drop its crown after a move or a parameter swing. Leave the tube in place and keep feeding; a healthy worm usually regrows a new crown in a few weeks.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"margin:14px 0 4px;font-size:1.05em;font-weight:600;line-height:1.25;border-left:4px solid #D84315;padding-left:8px;\"\u003eSpecifications\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ctable style=\"border-collapse:collapse;width:100%;max-width:640px;\"\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #FFCCBC;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eScientific name\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #FFCCBC;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cem\u003eProtula bispiralis\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #FFCCBC;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCommon names\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #FFCCBC;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eCoco Worm, Hard Tube Feather Duster, Hard Tube Worm\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #FFCCBC;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFamily\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #FFCCBC;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eSerpulidae\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #FFCCBC;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCrown color\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #FFCCBC;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003ePink and white, varies by individual\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #FFCCBC;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSize at sale\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #FFCCBC;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eMedium (approximate)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #FFCCBC;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMax crown size\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #FFCCBC;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eAbout 4 inches across\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #FFCCBC;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCare level\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #FFCCBC;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eIntermediate\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #FFCCBC;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTemperament\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #FFCCBC;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003ePeaceful\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #FFCCBC;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eReef safe\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #FFCCBC;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eYes\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #FFCCBC;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDiet\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #FFCCBC;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eFilter feeder: phytoplankton, rotifers, fine particulate foods\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #FFCCBC;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLighting\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #FFCCBC;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eNot required\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #FFCCBC;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFlow\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #FFCCBC;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eModerate, indirect\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #FFCCBC;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMinimum tank\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #FFCCBC;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e30 gallons, mature six months or more\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #FFCCBC;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTemperature\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #FFCCBC;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e74 to 80°F\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #FFCCBC;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSalinity\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #FFCCBC;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e1.023 to 1.026\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #FFCCBC;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOrigin\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #FFCCBC;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eIndo-Pacific, this one from Eastern Asia\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #FFCCBC;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePickup\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #FFCCBC;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eIn-store pickup at Squeaky's Aquatics\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"margin:14px 0 4px;font-size:1.05em;font-weight:600;line-height:1.25;border-left:4px solid #D84315;padding-left:8px;\"\u003eCompatibility\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA coco worm bothers nothing. It fits right in with corals, clams, clownfish, gobies, and cleanup crew, and it pairs naturally with other filter feeders that enjoy the same phytoplankton feedings, like the soft tube \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/feather-duster-sabellastarte-saltwater-tube-worm\"\u003eFeather Duster\u003c\/a\u003e and the \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/ultra-grade-maxima-clam-tridacna-maxima-saltwater\"\u003eUltra Grade Maxima Clam\u003c\/a\u003e. The risk runs the other way: butterflyfish, most angelfish including some dwarf angels, puffers, triggers, and some larger wrasses and hawkfish will pick at the crown until the worm stops opening. Large hermit crabs and arrow crabs may pester it too. Keep it where corals cannot grow over the tube opening.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"margin:14px 0 4px;font-size:1.05em;font-weight:600;line-height:1.25;border-left:4px solid #D84315;padding-left:8px;\"\u003eRecommended Foods \u0026amp; Supplies\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/reef-nutrition-phyto-feast-live\"\u003eReef Nutrition Phyto-Feast Live\u003c\/a\u003e, a staple phytoplankton for filter feeders\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/reef-nutrition-oyster-feast\"\u003eReef Nutrition Oyster-Feast\u003c\/a\u003e, a fine particle food sized for tube worms\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/brs-freeze-dried-rotifers\"\u003eBRS Freeze-Dried Rotifers\u003c\/a\u003e, a tiny zooplankton food to rotate in\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/bulldawg-reef-juice-elite-live-phytoplankton\"\u003eBulldawg Reef Juice Elite\u003c\/a\u003e, an 8-species live phytoplankton blend\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/aquatop-fish-and-coral-feeder\"\u003eAquatop Fish and Coral Feeder\u003c\/a\u003e to puff food right at the crown\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"margin:14px 0 4px;font-size:1.05em;font-weight:600;line-height:1.25;border-left:4px solid #D84315;padding-left:8px;\"\u003eFAQ\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHow often do I need to feed it?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eSeveral times a week. Phytoplankton on most days plus a fine particulate food a few times a week is a good rhythm. A coco worm that stays open and fully extended is eating well.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThe crown fell off. Is it dead?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eNot necessarily. Coco worms shed their crowns under stress and can regrow them. Leave the tube alone, keep water stable, and keep feeding. If the tube starts to smell or the worm body comes out, it has died.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDoes it need strong lighting?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eNo. It is not photosynthetic at all. You can place it low in the tank or under an overhang where flow brings food past it.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat is the difference between a coco worm and a regular feather duster?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eCoco worms build a hard, stony tube and grow a double spiral crown. Common feather dusters build a soft, papery tube. Both are filter feeders with the same feeding needs.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhy does it close every time I walk by?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe crown has light-sensitive eyespots and snaps shut at shadows and movement. That quick reaction is a sign of a healthy worm, and it relaxes as it gets used to the tank.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n","brand":"Squeaky's Aquatics","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":49318856458459,"sku":"1535067","price":62.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"url":"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/coco-worm-protula-bispiralis-saltwater","provider":"Squeaky's Aquatics","version":"1.0","type":"link"}