Peacock worms live in slim tubes either buried in mud or attached to rocks and stones.

Behaviour

They have a beautiful ‘crown’ of colourful feathery tentacles that they project out of a tube to catch particles held in the water currents. These are sorted into food and building materials – food is transported to the central mouth and tiny particles of sand or mud are mixed with sticky mucus to make the tube. The tentacles are withdrawn quickly if the worm is threatened. The rest of the worm is safe inside the tube. These worms can live in large groups, with their tubes providing habitat for other species including sponges, seaweeds and sea squirts that attach to their tubes.

Size

Up to 25 cm tall

Status

Distribution

When to see

All year around

Facts

• Sabella pavonina may be able to reverse the effects of exposure to some heavy metals. One study showed that following contamination from silver, they were able to remove the metal from their tissues when under silver-free conditions.