Christmas Tree Worm

Christmas tree worms have a surprisingly long life, living up to 40 years

You will be surprised to learn what you are looking at is considered a worm. These colorful worms are stationary, so once you locate one you are all set. However, if you approach these creatures too quickly or get too close, they will retract their colorful “crowns” and hide in the protection of their tubed body. When we say “crowns” we mean the two colorful, Hersey kiss sized, spirals. The crowns are what the Christmas tree worm uses to breathe, as well as what it uses to catch food. If you look closely, you will see tiny hair-like features on the crowns. These are called radioles and these are used for respiration. Christmas tree worms are filter feeders and they will retract their crowns quickly to trap phytoplankton in their area. This is their primary source of food. This is the same behavior displayed if you get too close.

Red-Tipped Sea Goddess

Christmas tree worms can heal themselves. They are capable of regrowing not only their colorful crowns, but also their protective tubing! Christmas tree worms have a surprisingly long life, living up to 40 years. As a diver if you are looking for one of these colorful creatures, explore the shallow reefs and check the coral heads. Some coral heads are covered with different colorful Christmas tree worms.

Although impossible to tell with the naked eye, there are female and male Christmas tree worms. Males and females will release their eggs and sperm in the water. As the ocean currents mix the two, the eggs are fertilized. Eventually, these will develop into larvae which drift to the seafloor and settle on hard corals. Christmas tree worms will bore themselves into the coral heads, and call that their new home.

Bloodworm

Photo Tip: Christmas tree worms are easy to find as a diver or snorkeler and they make for great photography subjects. One nice part about Christmas tree worms is that they are stationary, so once you find one you don’t have to worry about chasing it to get a photo. Christmas tree worms are often found in shallow water where there is abundant lighting, which is another reason why they make for a great photography subject. Christmas tree worms are colorful and not consistent in their patterns and colors, making them unique subjects. They respond physically to changes in their area. There are many reasons why Christmas tree worms are fun to photograph.

Christmas tree worms are colorful and not consistent in their patterns and colors

If you are shooting photos, approach slowly from below the Christmas tree worm. If you approach from above, you might cast a shadow over the Christmas tree worm which may cause it to retract. If this does happen, just slowly back up and be patient. The Christmas tree worm will reemerge momentarily.

Did you know?

Christmas tree worms can be found in warm shallow reef habitat across the world. They are considered abundant in Florida where this photograph was taken.
Christmas tree worms can be many different colors and patterns.
Some of the Christmas tree worms’ predators, like the butterfly fish, will prey upon their colorful crowns. Fortunately, Christmas tree worms can regrow their crowns to full size and function.