Marta deMaintenon· 5 Oct 2021
Fire worms like this one have no jaws, but the notopodial chaetae carry a toxin. So it can't bite you, but don't touch it!
Worms
Lined Fireworm
Pherecardia striata
Also known as: Bristle Worm, Fire Bristle Worm, Marine Fireworm, Marine Worms, Rock Worm, Sea Caterpillar, Sea Mice, Segmented Sea Worm, Segmented Worm, Tubeworm
ALSO KNOWN AS
- Bristle Worm
- Fire Bristle Worm
- Marine Fireworm
- Marine Worms
- Rock Worm
- Sea Caterpillar
- Sea Mice
- Segmented Sea Worm
- Segmented Worm
- Tubeworm
01
Overview
Found hiding in crevices, under rocks, rubble, and in seagrass beds, of 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.
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How to identify
- Behaviour
- hidesshelters in crevices
Tap any trait to see other fish that share it.
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Habitat & where to find it
- Range · Pacific Ocean
- Country only · 1
LIVES IN
Found hiding in crevices, under rocks, rubble, and in seagrass beds, of coral and rocky reefs.
RANGE
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Adult photos 1
05
Discussion 1
1 comment
ALL STAGES
FOR THE MARINE-BIOLOGY CURIOUS
Deep dive
Taxonomy
- kingdomAnimalia
- phylumAnnelida
- classPolychaeta
- orderAmphinomida
- familyAmphinomidae
- genusPherecardia
- speciesPherecardia striata (Kinberg, 1857)
SourcesWoRMS
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More in the family
Bristle Worms (Amphinomidae)
