Hong Kong Corals & the Associated Marine Life

Phylum Ctenopora - Polychaetes and other worms

Tubes of Protula magnifica
(Serpulidae)

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)

The calcareousness of this feather-duster worm is about 2mm in diameter. It reproduces asexually into a colony.

Filogranella elatensis (Serpulidae)

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.