Sea Cucumber Scale Worm

Gastrolepidia clavigera

Also known as: Clubbed Scale Worm, Club-spined Scale Worm, Commensal Scale Worm, Cucumber Worm, Polynoid Worm, Sea Cucumber Worm

ALSO KNOWN AS

Clubbed Scale Worm
Club-spined Scale Worm
Commensal Scale Worm
Cucumber Worm
Polynoid Worm
Sea Cucumber Worm

Add a photo

This critter moved like a centipede. It was perched on an Eyed Sea Cucumber. Spotted it at a depth of less than 5m. — Sea Cucumber Scale Worm adult, photographed at Mushroom Rock Dive Site, Island Garden City of Samal, Philippines — @blogie · Mushroom Rock Dive Site, Island Garden City of Samal, Philippines · May 20121 / 2

Overview

Found on the underside various species of sea cucumbers, dorsal and mouth areas. Varies in colour, probably to blend in with their host cucumber.
They feed on host tissue and zooplankton.

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

COLOURS

Body shape: caterpillar ridged
Behaviour: camouflaged

Tap any trait to see other fish that share it.

Habitat & where to find it

Range · Indo-Pacific
Country only · 2

LIVES IN

Found on the underside various species of sea cucumbers, dorsal and mouth areas.

RANGE

Indo-Pacific

Adult photos 2

Discussion

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ALL STAGES

FOR THE MARINE-BIOLOGY CURIOUS

Deep dive

Taxonomy

kingdomAnimalia
phylumAnnelida
classPolychaeta
orderPhyllodocida
familyPolynoidae
genusGastrolepidia
speciesGastrolepidia clavigera Schmarda, 1861

SourcesWoRMS