Christmas Tree Worm (Spirobranchus giganteus)

Common in Porites corals and limestone reef rock. The worm's body creates a tunnel and extends a pair of colorful crowns that function as gills and food gathering devices. The crowns are rapidly retracted when disturbed and the hole is covered by a hard operculum. The crowns of Hawaiian worms are especially sensitive to movement and at only 1/2 inch tall are dwarfs compared to those seen elsewhere.