Christmas Tree Worm Coral

General information

The Christmas Tree Worm crown comes in a variety of different colors and they grow to about 3.8 cm (1.49 in). Usually, just the crown, which is spiraled in the shape of a Christmas tree, is seen; its body is hidden within the host coral. It has an operculum (top trap door) that covers its tube when it withdraws its crown. There are often several Christmas Tree Worms in the same area, though they do not live in close groups. The Christmas Tree Worm is somewhat shy of movement and prefers to be in the shade of rocky overhangs, out of the bright light. 

Christmas tree worms are filter feeders that use their radioles when feeding. Radioles are hair-like appendages that look like feathers circling around the central spine. Their diet mostly consists of phytoplankton.

Sexing the Christmas Tree Worm is difficult because some Spirobranchus genus are hermaphrodites.

Christmas Tree Worms do not make physical contact when spawning. They merely release their sperm and egg into the water which, upon meeting, fertilize and become an embryo. The embryo develops into larva within 24 hours and settles and burrows on the coral. This phenomenon happens naturally, and they spawn the area together at the same time.

Christmas Tree Worms can be found on coral reefs around the world.

It is very intolerant of copper-based medications.