Christmas Tree Worm (Spirobranchus giganteus)
Observed: Koh Chang Reefs, December 2015
Observed By: Jonathan Milnes
The brightly-coloured spiral-bodied christmas tree worm is a type of tube-building polchaete worm.
These worms live inside rocky tubes that they build withing coral structures. They emerge from these tubes to feed, gathering in microorganisms using their tree-like array. When threatened though they whip rapidly back into their rocky home and disappear in a flash. A fun sight for divers and snorkellers.
Image Copyright Jonathan Milnes
Image Copyright Jonathan Milnes
Image Copyright Jonathan Milnes
Image Copyright Jonathan Milnes
