WHATSTHATFISH
Worms

Iridescent Fireworm

Tomopteris

Also known as: Fire Worm, Marine Fireworm, Rock Worm, Sea Caterpillar, Sea Mouse, Segmented Sea Worm, Segmented Worm, Tubeworm

Adult
@andrewot · Hakai Pass, Canada · July 20171 / 3
01

Overview

Found hiding in recesses, amongst rubble, sand, and seagrass beds, over coral and rocky reefs.

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.

02

How to identify

Body shape
bristlesfurry
Behaviour
hides

Tap any trait to see other fish that share it.

03

Habitat & where to find it

  • Range · Indo-West Pacific
  • Country only · 3
LIVES IN

Found hiding in recesses, amongst rubble, sand, and seagrass beds, over coral and rocky reefs.

04

Adult photos 3

05

Discussion

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    ALL STAGES
    FOR THE MARINE-BIOLOGY CURIOUS

    Deep dive

    Taxonomy

    1. kingdomAnimalia
    2. phylumAnnelida
    3. classPolychaeta
    4. orderPhyllodocida
    5. familyTomopteridae
    6. genusTomopteris Eschscholtz, 1825

    SourcesWoRMSWikipedia

    06

    More in the family

    Phyllodocida