Description
The Christmas Tree Worm (Spirobranchus Giganteus), is found in sub-tropical and Tropical waters in the Indo-Pacific, Pacific, and Indian Oceans. Named after its Christmas Tree shaped feathered Crown, the worm burrows lives in corals and rocks extending its feathered crown into the passing water where it catches and feeds on plankton and small micro-organisms.
Habitat
Christmas Tree Worms are found in sub-tropical and tropical waters around the world, living in coral reefs and rocky areas. The worms burrow into corals and rocks.
Diet
This worm is a filter-feeder, catching and feeding on microscopic organisms and plankton in the water column. They use their crown feathers which resemble the shape of a Christmas Tree to catch prey.
Appearance
Christmas Tree Worms are easily identifiable from their feathered crown, which resembles the shape of a Christmas Tree. If you get too close to the feathers the worm will retract into its burrow.
Key Features
- Most recognisable for the Christmas Tree shaped Crown and feathers which extend out of their burrow.
- These feathered crowns can be vibrant colours.
- You can come across a coral that can have hundreds of Christmas Tree Worms burrowed, as shown in the photo below.
Threats
IUCN Conservation Status: N/A
Frequently Asked Questions
The Christmas Tree Worm inhabits sub-tropical, and tropical waters, they live in coral reefs and rocky areas. The Worm burrows into corals or rocks and then extends its feathers Christmas Tree shaped Crown out into the passing water.
Some species of Butterflyfish, Wrasse, Triggerfish, Nudibranchs, and small crustaceans potentially feed on the worms when they have their feathers extended out of the coral or rock.
The worm is a filter-feeder, meaning that they catch prey in the water column. They feed on microscopic organisms and plankton that they catch using their crown feathers to catch prey.
