Christmas Tree Worm

Christmas Tree Worm retracting and emerging on a reef. File Reference: AWVct EX1 104 02834001 To license this clip please contact: info@wildvisuals.com For More Videos and HD Wildlife Stock Footage: http://www.absolutelywildvisuals.com

Christmas tree worms(Spirobranchus giganteus): Beautiful tube-building polychaete worms Spirobranchus giganteus, commonly known as Christmas tree worms, are tube-building polychaete worms belonging to the family Serpulidae. Spirobranchus giganteus is commonly found embedded in entire heads of massive corals, such as stony corals like Porites and brain corals. As sedentary inhabitants of coral reefs, Christmas tree worms feed primarily by filter feeding. They use their brightly colored radioles to filter microorganisms from the water, which are then deposited straight into the worm's digestive tract.

At the height of the Great Barrier Reef’s yearly coral spawning event, this little Christmas Tree worm decided it wanted in on the fun! As the waters of Barracuda Bommie was filled with the eggs and sperm of hopeful coral polyps, it too released its reproductive materials in the hopes of finding the spirobranchus giganteus of its dreams. Thanks to our local guru of being in the right spot at the right time, Shane ‘Sharky’ Down captured the amazing moment were this Christmas Tree coral released its reproductive Secret Santa gifts out into the world. 📸: Shane 'Sharky' Down 🦈