The Christmas Tree Worm Called Polychaetes Aquatic Beautiful Reef Marine Aquarium Coral Colonies

When we think of worms, the first thing you think of are ugly small slimly creatures crawling in the dirt. With this funny name, “Christmas Tree worm,” this makes it even harder to imagine. In marine life, this sort of worm doesn’t crawl around dirt looking for mites; they can bring great scenery to your marine aquarium. This beautiful reef invertebrate is many of the worms that live under the sea.

Most of these worms are called polychaetes. The Christmas Tree Worm is one of those worms that have tube builders. These species stay inside their self-made tube and cannot be seen from the outside. The colorful brush like part of the Christmas Tree Worm that points out is called radioles. They consist of two spiraling arrangements that are covered with numerous fine branches that resemble feathers.

The tube of the Christmas Tree Worm is a valuable protective formation that can help keep the soft-bodied living thing from being gobbled up. The tube is made up of calcium carbonate, which is the same substance in corals that is used to build their skeletons. Clams and snails use calcium carbonate to be their shells for protection. The tube is very thick, and sturdy. This tube is produced by a specific collar of tissue close to the worm’s head.

The Christmas Tree Worm has two radioles. Their form and shapes makes them look like they have only one radioles. Similarly, fan worms have gills that are spread out to 3 or 4 inches. The gill of the Christmas tree worm is only 1 inch in diameter. Many species of the fan worm build their tubes out of tough leather-like fabric which are strong. When the worm retreats, the tube would pinch shut to a certain degree. However, these tubes are not as effective as the tubes of the Christmas tree worm.

These worms can be found in marine fish stores with stony corals. They will appear in colonies. The coral colonies are usually fist-sized heads of Porites that includes quite a few worms that have their tubes inside their skeletons.

The downsides of the worms are the hardness to keep these alive. They require great quality food. Most likely, you will find them starve to death in aquariums. Fan worms