Christmas Tree Worms in Fuerteventura - Spirobranchus Giganteus

Christmas Tree worms in Fuerteventura 

Here on dry land, Wizzard sings about wishing it could be Christmas every day, and each December we brush off our old dusty trees, or cut down a new one to celebrate the festive season. However for those who live below the waves, it really can be Christmas every day as all year long, if you are lucky, you can enjoy these stuning little worms, known affecionately as Christmas Tree Worms or Spirobranchus Giganteus. 

An article by Hannah Mackey with The Voice

Christmas Tree worms are stunning and strange  

This particular species of Worm is a tube building polychaete worm, belonging to the family Serpulidae. The name “Christmas Tree worm” refers to the two  multi-coloured structures, known as crowns, that protrude from the worms tube-like body and are shaped like Christmas trees.  

What do Christmas Tree worms eat?

Each spiral is composed of feather-like tentacles called Radioles or hair-like appendages, that radiate from the worm’s central spine.  These radioles transport any prey that gets caught in them, such as microscopic plants and phytoplankton, into the worm’s mouth.  The spiral structures are highly devised structures for feeding and respiration.  The spirals are a variety of bright colours and not very big, around 1.5 inches tall.  

Where do Christmas Tree worms Live?

The worm secretes a calceraus tube around its body.  The tube acts as a home and protection.  The worm bores a hole into an existing head of coral before secreting the tube.  The worm is primarily a filter feeder and is sedentary, meaning that once they find a place they like, they generally don’t move.  When the worm is startled by something swimming above it or, such as when a diver waves their hands in the water above it, it rapidly retracts into its burrow and hides until it safe to come back out again. When it knows it is safe, out it pops again. Along with lots of it’s friends that are also living on the same head of coral.  

How do Christmas Tree Worms reproduce?

The Christmas Tree worm reproduces by releasing their gametes (eggs and sperm) straight into the water.  The eggs become fertilised as they drift within the currents and become part of the zooplankton.  They then develop into larvae that settle onto coral heads and burrow inside to create their own new home.