Worms in families Serpulidae and Sabellidae are all tube-dwelling. The serpulid worms secrete calcareous tubes while the sabellids produce tubes of sand grains and organic matrices. Some species may have a modified tentacle for closing the tube.
This is one of the most distinctive feather-duster worms, having a calcareous tube that is white on the outside and bright red inside around the lip. It can be commonly seen on shallow coral communities.
Protula magnifica (Serpulidae)
Tube Worm 1
The feathery branchial crowns of the tube-worms are used for filtering food particles from the water. They also act as respiratory organs.
The calcareousness of this feather-duster worm is about 2mm in diameter. It reproduces asexually into a colony and is quite uncommon in Hong Kong.
Filogranella elatensis (Serpulidae)
Tube Worm 2
Some tube worms bore holes into the corals and inhabit in their skeleton.
This is an unidentified fan-worm, occurring on rocky reefs from 5 to at least 15m in depth.
Sabellidae sp.
Tube Worm 3
A large colony of tubeworms in their calcareous tubes
Tube Worm 4
Chloeia flava (Amphinomidae)
The brown markings on each segment of the body distinguish this fire worm from the others. The bristle feet are filled with venom, which will cause a burning pain when touched. It can be seen crawling along the sandy sea bottom in search of prey, or occasionally, swimming in the water column.
The feeding tentacles are ultra sensitive to light and pressure changes. When disturbed, they are quickly withdrawn into the tube.
