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Spirobranchus giganteus
Spirobranchus giganteus (Pallas, 1766)
Christmas tree worm
Spirobranchus giganteus
photo by Harasti, David

Family:  Serpulidae ()
Max. size:  20 cm DL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  reef-associated; marine
Distribution:  Circumtropical.
Diagnosis:   
Biology:  Calcareous tube can reach up to 20 cm in length and is usually deeply embedded in the coral skeleton. Planktonic larval phase lasts for 9 to 12 days and the average life span is over 30 years. A dioecious filter feeder that is often mistaken to be a boring species. Larvae actually settles on exposed corals skeleton and extend their tubes toward the living tissue, which subsequently obscures the tube. Simultaneous spawning of male and female species and its host corals (Orbicella annularis, O. faveolata, O. franksi, Montastraea cavernosa, Pseudodiploria strigosa), occurred in the evening during slack neap tides with nominal wind and wave action. Such conditions minimize gamete distribution by water turbulence and wave action, increasing the chances of fertilization (Ref. 81049). Part of fouling communities attached to raft frames in mariculture zones (Ref. 127121).
IUCN Red List Status: Not Evaluated (N.E.) Ref. 123251)
Threat to humans: 
Country info:   
 

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