The Christmas Tree Worm

(Spirobranchus giganteus)

• Kingdom: Animalia

• Phylum: Annelida

• Class: Polychaeta

• Subclass: Canalipalpata

• Order: Sabellida

• Family: Serpulidae

• Genus: Spirobranchus

• species: S. giganteus

taxonomy

• The Christmas tree worm is a colorful marine worm, it has two spiraled plumes from a tube with an operculum (cover) extended between the two spirals. These animals are colorful, and can be red, orange, yellow, blue and white.

• Their ‘feathers’ extended from a central stalk/tentacle.

• An average 1-1.5 inches in span, Christmas tree worms are small in size but because of their beauty, shape, and color, they are easily spotted.

Physical Appearance

• They are found on coral reefs in tropical waters around the world.

• There are often several Christmas Tree Worms in the same area, though they do not live in close groups.

• The Christmas Tree Worm is somewhat shy of movement and prefers to be in the shade of rocky overhangs, out of the bright light. It is very intolerant of copper-based medications.

Found burrowed into living calcareous corals, between 10-100 feet deep in tropical ocean waters.

Water Conditions: 72-78° F, dKH 8-12, pH 8.1-8.4, sg 1.023-1.025

• http://www.flickr.com/photos/ole_johan_brett/2504633763/in/photostream/

Living Conditions

• The christmas tree worm is an Omnivore.

• The Christmas tree worm's plumes are used for feeding and respiration.

• The plumes extend into the water column to filter feed on phytoplankton and small organic matter.

• Food is passed down the feathers by small hair-like projections to a food groove.

• Larger particles are discarded, and sand grains are stored for tube building.

Diet

• Christmas tree worms are very shy and will pull into their tube instantly when threatened.

• The operculum covers the opening to their tube, protecting them inside.

http://www.ehow.com/video_4412702_christmas-tree-worm-identification.html

Behavior

• Reproduction is achieved through open water spawning.

• The females and males release the eggs and sperm into the water column where fertilization happens. The larvae will drop out of the open water, settle on coral, and burrow to create a tube.

Reproduction

https://nyc1.unblockvideos.com/browse.php?u=fq0O0FNXAURMcmDDg%2Bxbsc9PJMX5GAvo%2B4fBg1g02t5OI62OVls%3D&b=0&f=norefer

http://www.marinebio.org/species.asp?id=543

http://www.allaboutworms.com/christmas-tree-worms

http://marinelife.about.com/od/invertebrates/p/Christmas-Tree-Worm.htm

http://reefbuilders.com/2008/07/13/christmas-tree-worms-spirobranchus-giganteus-guide/

http://www.floridaocean.org/uploads/docs/blocks/169/christmas-tree-worm.pdf

http://www.liveaquaria.com/product/prod_display.cfm?c=497+504+541&pcatid=541

Physical Appearance