Bloodworms get their color from the hemoglobin it its body fluid
This vibrant red worm gets its color from the hemoglobin in its body fluid. The bloodworm’s mouth is exposed, and if you look close you can even see the four antennae. These bottom dwelling worms have a venomous bite. They use this to feed on other creatures. I’ve heard their bite can be painful even for a human. Bloodworms absorb dissolved oxygen through their skin. Hemoglobin helps transport this oxygen throughout the bloodworm’s body, and give it it’s bright red color.
I took this photo during the annual coral spawn a few years ago, in the Florida Keys. This was my first time going out to try and catch the coral spawn. We went out specifically to see the boulder star corals spawn. This happens reliably every year, about a week after the full moon in August. Although their specific timing may vary slightly, different corals and other marine fauna use the full moon in August as a time to spawn. The challenge is being underwater at the exact time the corals release their gametes. This usually involves multiple dives and a long night at sea. As the time approaches, you can see the coral polyps swell. Then all within a few minutes it’s over. But those few short moments in between are amazing.
It is wild to watch the connectivity across the reef, as one by one the star corals release their gametes into the water column. It looks like an underwater snowstorm. This is called broadcast spawning. Many reef creatures come out to feast on this free snack. The gametes that don’t get eaten will drift with the ocean currents. When the coral eggs get fertilized, they will develop into planula. The planula rides the current for days to weeks before descending to the seafloor. Once the planula settles onto substrate, it can start to bud and develop a coral colony.
It was interesting to watch the whole food chain come out as the spawn took place. First the smallest life emerges, the coral gametes. Then invertebrates, crabs, and small fish start to eat the gametes. Then the bigger fish and eels come out to prey on the smaller, distracted, marine life. This frenzy lasts a matter of minutes.
It was interesting to watch the whole food chain come out
Bloodworms mate in the summer when the water is warm
Did you know? Bloodworms also mate in the summer months, when the water is warm. Bloodworms swim to the surface, release their gametes, then die.
Did you know? Star coral colonies are either male or female?
Interested in coral spawning? Check out our May and October 2019 articles:
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