Common Fire Worm
Eurythoe complanata
Also known as: Fire Worm, Gulf Fire Worm, Iridescent Fireworm, Marine Fireworm, Orange Fire Worm, Polychaeta Marine Worm, Reef Bristle Worm, Rock Worm, Sea Caterpillar, Sea Mice, Segmented Sea Worm, Segmented Worm
- Fire Worm
- Gulf Fire Worm
- Iridescent Fireworm
- Marine Fireworm
- Orange Fire Worm
- Polychaeta Marine Worm
- Reef Bristle Worm
- Rock Worm
- Sea Caterpillar
- Sea Mice
- Segmented Sea Worm
- Segmented Worm
Overview
Found hiding, during the day, in crevices, under slabs, of coral and rocks, and in rock-pools, foraging for food at night, over coral and rocky reefs. This worm is covered in poisonous bristles. Also they are a surprise visitor to aquariums, because they hide in the rocks that are bought in!
They feed nocturnally, on algae, corals, and carrion, brought in by the tide.
Segmented worms are extremely mobile, have strong jaws for hunting and feeding on their prey.
Some worms are covered in hairs for protection, scavenging on the sea floor for detritus.
Others are delicate fans, protected by their self made tubes, which they retreat back into when threatened, these are filter feeders and feed on plankton.
How to identify
Habitat & where to find it
- Range · Indo-Pacific, Atlantic Ocean, Mediterranean
- Exact location · 1
- Country only · 1
Found hiding, during the day, in crevices, under slabs, of coral and rocks, and in rock-pools, foraging for food at night, over coral and rocky reefs.
Adult photos 2
Discussion
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Deep dive
Taxonomy
- kingdomAnimalia
- phylumAnnelida
- classPolychaeta
- orderAmphinomida
- familyAmphinomidae
- genusEurythoe
- speciesEurythoe complanata (Pallas, 1766)
SourcesWoRMS
More in the family
Bristle Worms (Amphinomidae)
