Sea Mouse
Aphrodita aculeata
Also known as: Aphrodite, Aphrodite's Worm, Common Sea Mouse, European Sea Mouse, Fire Worm, Marine Fireworm, Rock Worm, Sea Caterpillar, Segmented Sea Worm, Segmented Worm, Tubeworm
- Aphrodite
- Aphrodite's Worm
- Common Sea Mouse
- European Sea Mouse
- Fire Worm
- Marine Fireworm
- Rock Worm
- Sea Caterpillar
- Segmented Sea Worm
- Segmented Worm
- Tubeworm
Overview
Found singly, buried head first or on fine sand over coral and rocky reefs.
They feed nocturnally on crabs and other worms, sometimes up to three times their own length by swallowing them whole.
Widespread Northeast Atlantic, Mediterannean, Northwest Pacific
Often large numbers are found washed up on shores after storms.
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 · Northwest Pacific, Northeast Atlantic, Mediterranean
- Country only · 3
Found singly, buried head first or on fine sand over coral and rocky reefs.
Adult photos 3
Discussion
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Deep dive
More in the family
Phyllodocida

