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Fire-Worm Molasses reef FLA_UW_-056FLC

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The bearded fireworm (Hermodice carunculata) is of the Amphinomidae family of marine bristleworms. They are native to the tropical Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea. This one was photographed in the Florida Keys.

These marine worms are very fuzzy and furry looking, but don't touch. They are bristles! Each segment has a pair of white, bristly, stinging parapodia, or feet, and red gills. This one is currently a bit compressed, as they often look longer, and can get to be over 10".

These bristle worms feed on soft and hard corals, by engulfing the tips of the coral and eating the coral animal polyps. They will also eat anemones, small arthropods and algae. I made this observation during the day.

Filename
FLA UW©JMacCausland'10_Molasses-056FLC_Fire-Worm.tif
Copyright
Janet MacCausland
Image Size
2126x3176 / 58.1MB
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Contained in galleries
Annelids and others, Florida, Georgia
The bearded fireworm (Hermodice carunculata) is of the Amphinomidae family of marine bristleworms. They are native to the tropical Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea. This one was photographed in the Florida Keys. <br /> <br /> These marine worms are very fuzzy and furry looking, but don't touch. They are bristles! Each segment has a pair of white, bristly, stinging parapodia, or feet, and red gills. This one is currently a bit compressed, as they often look longer, and can get to be over 10".<br /> <br /> These bristle worms feed on soft and hard corals, by engulfing the tips of the coral and eating the coral animal polyps. They will also eat anemones, small arthropods and algae. I made this observation during the day.
Home Decor & Stock Photography; Nature; On Location Portraiture; Illustration.
To Purchase, please contact Janet MacCausland at jmmermaid@outlook.com or call 508 824 1569 or TEXT 617 448 2746. All images are the property of the photographer and require permission to copy.