BristleWormHater
Valuable Member
I really like Christmas tree worms but a rock with them on it is pretty expensive. I'm wondering if there's a way to start a colony.
Is it possible to set up a Christmas tree worm colony?
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MnFish1
10K Club member
The cheapest way would be to buy a rock.
livinlifeinBKK
5000 Club Member
I actually have some knowledge on the topic. The short answer is not, unless youre going to do a ton of research and then learn through MANY trials and errors. Im not sure where or how youd get through the first step of acquiring gametes without any worms to begin with.
Its been done by researchers for many years studying the larvae of the Spirobranchus genus...they obviously have access to materials and funding combined with expert knkwledge however.
With that said, Id say youre far better off buying a nice quality piece which will cost a ton of money in the country you live in. If you have any questions regarding my comment feel free to ask.
Its been done by researchers for many years studying the larvae of the Spirobranchus genus...they obviously have access to materials and funding combined with expert knkwledge however.
With that said, Id say youre far better off buying a nice quality piece which will cost a ton of money in the country you live in. If you have any questions regarding my comment feel free to ask.
OP
OP
BristleWormHater
Valuable Member
Ok I'll take your word for it.
MnFish1
10K Club member
I know it was a short answer - but as @livinlifeinBKK said - there are so many difficulties in doing so, you would definitely not save money. Cost seemed to be your main concern. Many of these worms like to burrow into live coral - like porites (I have not seen them otherwise - but I'm sure there are examples) - so to start you would need that - which alone is expensive. etc etc. IF you were saying your main goal is to experiment - go for it - with the understanding that it will likely be a long process.
livinlifeinBKK
5000 Club Member
I think OP might have been under the impression that they reproduced differently and just one or a few would multiply naturally but since theyre dioecious broadcast spawners it doesnt work like that.
I do hope they can be captive bred someday because their collection requires a lot of damage to coral colonies hundreds of years old.
@MnFish1 you're right in assuming some species settle on corals aside from Porites. Different species have preferences for different corals. I think the primary reason theyre almost always sold in the hobby on Porites is because theyre generally collected from the same area and the species in that area happens to prefer Porites.
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