Christmas Tree Worm

Spirobranchus giganteus

Each Worm has two spiral radiole that are extended to collect food and like fan worms will retract instantly if disturbed. The hard structure as seen in first picture is the cover that closes over the tube when worm is withdrawn. It is called the operculum. (Visible in the first picture, row two. The pink circular thing at the picture's right side.

This tube worm differs from other tube worms because it has two spiral crowns. Most other tube worms have just one crown of radioles. They are very common and inhabit all areas of a reef environment. They are small (compared to some other species of tube worm), with crowns of about an inch to inch and a half tall. Their colors vary from white to brown, pink to purple.