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Scientific name
Bispira viola
Family
Sabellidae
Adult size
Crown 2-3 inches, tube 3-5 inches
Min tank size
20 gallons
Temperature
76-82°F
Salinity
1.024-1.026
Temperament
Sessile, peaceful
Difficulty
Intermediate
Lifespan
3-8 years

About the Bispira Feather Duster

Bispira feather dusters are smaller cousins of Sabellastarte feather dusters - more delicate crown structure with finer feathers and often more vibrant coloration (purple, red, yellow, white). Form clusters in the wild and tolerate density in captive setups. Smaller adult size makes them well-suited to nano reef systems.

Native range: Indo-Pacific. Most US trade specimens come through marine wholesale suppliers in Indonesia, the Philippines, Hawaii, and the Caribbean. Wild collection remains the primary sourcing method for the majority of marine inverts - few are captive-bred at commercial scale. Quality of acclimation at the wholesale/retail stage is the biggest single predictor of long-term survival in home aquaria.

Tank setup and parameters

Tank size: 20 gallons. Parameters: temperature 76-82°F, salinity 1.024-1.026, plus the standard reef tank requirements - stable calcium 420-440 ppm, alkalinity 8-10 dKH, magnesium 1300-1400 ppm, nitrate under 25 ppm, phosphate under 0.05 ppm. The species requires conditions consistent with a healthy reef tank rather than nutrient-stripped sterile water - well-established systems with diverse microfauna and biofilm typically support these inverts better than newly-cycled tanks.

Lighting: depends on species. Photosynthetic inverts (clams, anemone-symbiotic species) require high-PAR reef LED lighting. Filter-feeders (worms, scallops) prefer moderate lighting and benefit from particulate-rich water. Flow: moderate, indirect flow works for most inverts - direct high-velocity flow stresses or damages soft-bodied species.

Acclimation: drip acclimate over 2-4 hours for hardy species, 4-8 hours for sensitive species (Linckia stars, sea hares, demanding nudibranchs). Never expose inverts to air during transfer - capture in a bowl underwater and transfer wet.

Diet and feeding

Bispira Feather Duster diet: Filter feeder. Feeding strategy depends on dietary type. Algae eaters require established tanks with biofilm and microalgae growth - new tanks lack the algal base they need. Carnivore inverts (starfish, some snails) need targeted meaty feedings 2-3x weekly. Filter feeders (clams, worms, scallops) need phytoplankton in the water column. Photosynthetic species need adequate lighting plus supplemental amino acid or coral food dosing.

Compatible tank mates

Safe: Peaceful reef community.

Avoid: Crown-nippers, copper meds.

Breeding

Asexual fission in mature tanks.

Common problems and solutions

Crown loss; flow sensitivity (less tolerant of strong flow than Sabellastarte).

Keeper note: Same care as Sabellastarte but smaller scale. Will sometimes split and reproduce asexually in mature systems, forming small clusters.

Frequently asked questions

How is Bispira different from regular feather dusters?

Smaller, more delicate, more colorful crown. Tendency to cluster vs. solitary placement.

Will Bispira reproduce in my tank?

Possibly - mature healthy specimens occasionally split asexually, producing small clusters over months.

How much do Bispira feather dusters cost?

$15-30 each. Sold individually or as clusters.

Can I keep multiple Bispira feather dusters together?

Yes - they tolerate density and form natural-looking clusters when given adequate space.

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