WHATSTHATFISH
Worms

Peacock Feather Duster

Sabella spallanzanii

Also known as: European Fanworm, Fan Worm, Feather Duster, Feather Tube Worm, Marine Polychaete Worm, Mediterranean Fanworm, Pencil Worm, Rock Worm, Segmented Sea Worm, Spirograph Worm, Tubeworm

Adult
@JarJar · Isola Palmaria / La Spezia / North Italy, Italy · May 20111 / 2
01

Overview

Found solitary, or in small groups, buried in cracks and holes, on moored boats, jetties, mollusc shells, pontoons, rocks, amongst sandy substrate and other solid surfaces, over sheltered, nutrient rich waters, of coral and rocky reefs. Colours vary. The deeper they are found, the larger they seem to be. These are considered an invasive pest!
Widespread North East Atlantic, Mediterranean, Indo-West Pacific

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

Pattern
stripes

Tap any trait to see other fish that share it.

03

Habitat & where to find it

  • Range · Indo-West Pacific, Northeast Atlantic, Mediterranean
  • Country only · 2
LIVES IN

Found solitary, or in small groups, buried in cracks and holes, on moored boats, jetties, mollusc shells, pontoons, rocks, amongst sandy substrate and other solid surfaces, over sheltered, nutrient rich waters, of coral and rocky reefs.

04

Adult photos 2

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Discussion

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    ALL STAGES
    FOR THE MARINE-BIOLOGY CURIOUS

    Deep dive

    Taxonomy

    1. kingdomAnimalia
    2. phylumAnnelida
    3. classPolychaeta
    4. orderSabellida
    5. familySabellidae
    6. genusSabella
    7. speciesSabella spallanzanii (Gmelin, 1791)

    SourcesWoRMSWikipedia

    06

    More in the family

    Feather Duster Worms (Sabellidae)