Christmas Tree Worm (Spirobranchus giganteus) Care Guide
Spirobranchus giganteus is a small serpulid worm with two spiral radiole crowns that embeds its tube in living coral and filter feeds.
Overview
Spirobranchus giganteus is a marine polychaete of the family Serpulidae. According to Wikipedia it has two crowns shaped like Christmas trees, composed of feather-like tentacles called radioles, which are highly derived structures for both feeding and respiration. The worm is typically sold embedded in a chunk of its living host coral.
Taxonomy
- Phylum: Annelida
- Order: Sabellida
- Family: Serpulidae
- Scientific name: Spirobranchus giganteus
Habitat
Per Wikipedia the species ranges from the Caribbean to the Indo-Pacific and is commonly found embedded entirely in heads of massive corals, such as stony Porites and brain corals. The worm builds a calcareous tube within the living coral.
Tank requirements
- Minimum tank volume: 80 L (mature reef with a healthy host coral)
- Temperature: 24-26 °C (75-79 °F)
- pH: 8.1-8.4
- Salinity: 1.024-1.026 SG
- dKH: 8-11
- Adult body size: 1-4 cm; Wikipedia reports body length about 3.8 cm and a tube up to 20 cm
- Lifespan: 5-30 years
Diet
It is a filter feeder. Per Wikipedia the radioles filter microorganisms from the water, which are deposited straight into the worm's digestive tract. In aquariums survival depends on a healthy living host coral and a plankton-rich water column with supplemental fine foods.
Compatibility
Peaceful and reef-safe. Avoid hawkfish and some wrasses, which may pick at the retractable crowns. The long-term success of the worm is tied to the health of its host coral, making it an advanced animal to maintain.
Breeding
It is a broadcast spawner; per Wikipedia it reproduces by casting eggs and sperm into the water. Captive breeding is not practical in home aquaria.