The Christmas tree worm, known scientifically as Spirobranchus giganteus, is a tube-building worm native to tropical oceans between the Caribbean and Indo-Pacific. The worms’ most distinct features are two “crowns” shaped like Christmas trees.
The multicolored spirals are highly derived structures for feeding and respiration.
Christmas tree worms average about 1.5 inches in length, and their radioles can have a diameter of up to 1.5 inches.
The images above were capture off the coast of St. Vincent in the Caribbean. More images from Saint Vincent and the Grenadines can be found here.
Happy Holidays!
I love the Christmas tree worms. They are always so colorful.
That’s if I don’t scare them. 😂
I want to film one coming out of it shell. Maybe next year I can find the time and patience.
You take great shots. i have confidence in you and your abilities. 🙂
Thanks! You are too kind!
You deserve it. You are a fabulous underwater photographer. 🙂