Bispira brunnea (Social Feather Duster) Care Guide
Bispira brunnea is a Caribbean cluster-forming sabellid feather duster that filters plankton through a crown of banded radioles.
Overview
Bispira brunnea is a tube-dwelling marine polychaete of the family Sabellidae, native to the Caribbean. It forms colonial clusters of soft, non-calcareous tubes, each crowned by a fan of radioles in brown, cream and banded patterns. The species was originally described in 1917 as Metalaonome brunnea and later transferred to the genus Bispira.
Taxonomy
- Family: Sabellidae
- Genus: Bispira
- Scientific name: Bispira brunnea
- Authority: (Treadwell, 1917)
- Synonyms: Metalaonome brunnea Treadwell, 1917; Sabella bahamensis Augener, 1922
Habitat
It occurs throughout the Caribbean, the Bahamas and southeastern North America at depths down to about 35 metres. Individuals settle on rocks, corals and sandy sediment, often under overhangs and in crevices, favouring areas with vigorous water movement and abundant suspended organic matter and plankton.
Tank requirements
- Minimum tank volume: 60 L
- Temperature: 24-26 C (75-79 F)
- pH: 8.1-8.4
- Carbonate hardness (KH): 8-11 dKH
- Specific gravity: 1.024-1.026
- Lifespan: 2-5 years
Diet
The worm is a continuous filter feeder. It traps plankton and fine organic particles on mucus-lubricated pinnules of its radioles and transports them toward the mouth at the centre of the crown. In aquaria it depends on a steady supply of suspended planktonic foods.
Compatibility
Bispira brunnea is peaceful and reef-safe, suitable alongside calm reef fish. The crown is highly sensitive to vibration and retracts rapidly when disturbed. Predatory or inquisitive tankmates such as hawkfish and arrow crabs may pick at the radioles and should be avoided.
Breeding
The species is a broadcast spawner and is likely a protandrous hermaphrodite, with males becoming female as they grow larger. It can regenerate a damaged crown, and retraction behaviour is synchronised across the cluster.