The Spirorbis tube worm is a regular feature on our rocky shores, with large numbers spotted on individual seaweeds. They particularly like the fronds of Serrated wrack and Bladder wrack and are also found on the underside of stones in rockpools. The worm lives permanently inside these white, smooth spiral tubes and is only a few millimetres long and bright orange in colour. They are filter feeders, using a crown of tentacles to catch small particles from the water column when the tide is in.
How to identify
A small white spiral shell found on the fronds of seaweeds or under stones in the rocky shore. They are often found in high densities.
Distribution
Found on rocky shores all around UK coasts.
Did you know?
The Spirorbis tube worm builds its own calcareous tube using special glands in its upper body segment.
