Christmas Tree Worm Parasite

Pallas 1766 spirobranchus giganteus commonly known as the christmas tree worm is a tube building polychaete worm belonging to the family serpulidae.

Christmas tree worm parasite. You won t find spirobranchus giganteus also known as the christmas tree worm eating your fir tree this year. Christmas tree worms spirobranchus giganteus are found on coral reefs in tropical waters. World range habitat.

Five fast facts about christmas tree worms 1. These colors can be very vivid and for many specimens the color will be brought out under high intensity lighting. Each worm has two brightly colored crowns that protrude from its tube like body.

The eggs are fertilized in the water then develop into larvae that settle on coral heads and burrow into the. They come in many attractive colors including green blue golden yellow yellow purple and pink. While the distinctive looking worms don t pose a direct threat to human beings they re an invasive species that packs the power to eradicate earthworms.

Encrusting species of porites like the boulder coral often enter the aquarium trade on live rock or as a christmas tree worm rock. Christmas tree worms spirobranchus giganteus description behavior. Up to two thirds of the worm is anchored in the coral when its plumes are visible.

They aren t very big averaging about 1 5 inches in length. The common name for these worms is derived from their appearance not their habitat or diet. Christmas tree worms average only about 1 5 inches in length.

Fun facts about christmas tree worms. This large planarian lives on land and is both a predator and a cannibal. Christmas tree worms fir tree like appendages are also used for respiration collecting oxygen from the currents.