Are Christmas Tree Worms Endangered

However because of their distinctive shape beauty and color these worms are easily spotted.
Are christmas tree worms endangered. Once settled down a christmas tree worm can live upwards of 30 years. Only the classics for these worms. We love learning about sea creatures we use to spot while snorkeling and hope you share our passion.
They aren t very big averaging about 1 5 inches in length. Those minerals are a key ingredient in not just the calcareous tubes of christmas tree worms but also the shells of oysters clams sea urchins and countless other marine animals. Status many of the porites genus are on the iucn red list of endangered species.
Christmas tree worms rarely if ever move from. Most species are listed as data deficient dd least concern lc vulnerable v and near threatened nt but about three are listed as endangered e and one as critically endangered cr. With caribbean spelled out all year long the christmas tree worm spirobranchus giganteus is a marine annelid existing in several displays of colour.
The christmas tree worm spirobranchus giganteus is a colorful marine worm with beautiful spiraling plumes that resemble a fir tree. Potential threats to the worms include habitat loss climate change and ocean acidification which could affect their ability to build their calcareous tubes. Up to two thirds of the worm is anchored in the coral when its plumes are visible.
While they aren t harvested for food they are popular with divers and underwater photographers and may be harvested for the aquarium trade. Though 10 20 is more common 5. We have already talked about why lionfish is a dangerous fish and how sea stars move and today we will teach you a bit about the beautiful spirobranchus by sharing 10 facts about christmas tree worms.
The plumes which are the worm s tentacles may occur in varieties of orange yellow blue and white and can easily be spotted even though it is tiny spanning an average of 3 8 cm 1 5. References further research. To become a responsible snorkeler learn more.