Saltcorner
By Bob Goemans
By Bob Goemans
.jpg "Spirobranchus giganteus (Christmas Tree Worm)")
Likely Reef Tank Suitable
Likely Fish-Only Tank Suitable
Unlike the Sabellida Feather Duster worms, Serpulida worms form a rigid limestone tube. The Spirobranchus giganteus species is common in the Caribbean and a subspecies is found in the Central Pacific to the Red Sea. Their radioles or "feathers" form two spirals, each separated with a hardened operculum, a trapdoor-like device. There are several whorls of feathers in each crown. Their tentacles radiate from a central stem area with the largest near the base of the crown, narrowing to a point at the tip. Hence the name "Christmas-Tree." These colorful, yellow, red, white, blue, purple, green, pink, and combinations of, tube worms may have a crown up to 1 inch (2.5 cm) or slightly larger.
They are found in colonies attached to live rock. Those coming from the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean are the largest, having radioles about 1 inch (2.5 cm) in height. They do not exist in a symbiotic relationship with other corals as do the Indo-Pacific variety (Tullock, 1997). They may be kept in lower light and water movement than the Indo-Pacific variety.
As for those coming from the Indo-Pacific area, the Christmas Tree "worms" have a symbiotic relationship with live heads of Porites coral. It is thought the worms derive nutrition from the coral mucus (Wilkens, 1990). They require strong water movement and excellent lighting to maintain the Porites coral. Their radioles average a .5 inch (1.2 cm) in height.
To shed light on this confusing taxonomy aspect I turned to the British marine biologist and diver Vincent B. Hargreaves Ph.D. (Doctorate in Marine Biology with a double major in Ichthyology, and Marine Invertebrate Zoology) for his help to clarify the present situation.
Broadly speaking, as he describes it, there are two 'groups/complex's' of Christmas Tree Worms - Spirobranchus giganteus and Spirobranchus tetraceros. In the 'giganteus complex' there are three further subgroups: S. giganteus - comprised of three species from the Caribbean and Eastern Pacific - S. incrassatus (Panama area of Central America), S. spinosus (Subtropical coastlines of southern California/Mexico), and S. giganteus from the Tropical Western Atlantic/Caribbean. In the S. corniculatus subgroup there are five species from the Indo-West Pacific and Western Indian Ocean - S. corniculatus, S. gaymardi, & S. paumotanus (found in the litoral zone, often out of the water for short periods between tides), S. nigranucha (The nearest relative to S. paumotanus, which does not have an operculum, therefore cannot trap water inside to survive low tide timeframes), and S. gardineri from the Indian Ocean, which has two or three species having a round operculum. Furthermore, those in this entire complex have their operculum between its two spirals and it has a 'double horn' on its free edge. There is also a small spike on the edge of the tube opening that fits between the double horns when the operculum is closed. Similar to a 'hasp' on a door.
As for the species in the S. tetraceros group/complex, they have distinct differences from the S. giganteus complex, as their 'trees' develop on a separate stem from the operculum, unlike those of S. giganteus. Also, they do not form a close arrangement with stony corals as they may be found on/in any type of calcium carbonate coral rubble. None of the several species in this complex have been described down to the species level as of yet, but H.A. Ten Hove, 1988, 1993, and 1994 has laid down the basics of the current understanding of the Serpulinae group.
As an added note, they reproduce sexually, as there are separate males and females. The males release sperm into the surrounding waters and if sensed by a female ready to spawn, she releases eggs. Embryos develop into a swimming larva within a few days. Ongoing culture is extremely difficult, as phytoplankton is needed for further development and I do not know of this yet occurring in captivity.
Also of interest is the tropical species 'Neodexospirs sp.' and 'Vermiliopsis pygidalis,' which are the very tiny (2 mm) circular white hard-shelled feather dusters that appear in shaded areas, such as on pump bodies, live rock, and aquarium side panels. They are suspension feeders and often found in great numbers on these type surfaces.
And, last but not least, there's another very small family member, about 3 mm, and more snake-like in appearance that often shows up under live rock. They, probably Vermilliopsis and/or Microprotula species, are elongated with a very delicate tube-like structure. These 'squiggly' shaped worms are detritus feeders.
And finally, as to PAR impact, there are some species in this Group that have a symbiotic relationship with live heads of Porites or brain corals, therefore require certain levels light to keep their surrounding healthy.
Water motion is also an important aspect, and I've decided to relate it to the visible intensity of water motion on that of a long tentacle anemone. No visible tentacle motion is '0,' whereas a slight movement of some tentacles is '1.' If all the tentacles are gently swaying in the current it is '2.' If all tentacles are moving fairly fast and bouncing into each other it is '3.' Should all tentacles be driven with such force they are extended in one direction or unable to sway back to their central position it's '4.' Try to keep these values in mind, but if necessary revert back to this paragraph, as you will see them as - PAR - XXX & WM - X. Hopefully you'll find this quite helpful.
