Indian Feather Duster Worm

Overview

The Indian Feather Duster Worm (Sabellastarte spectabilis) is a sedentary marine polychaete known for its striking, feathery feeding crown. It resides within a resilient, leathery tube and is widely recognized for its role in filtering organic particles from the water column.

Appearance

This species features a prominent, horseshoe-shaped branchial crown composed of long, branched filaments called radioles. These radioles are typically shades of brown, often marked with darker bands, though coloration can range from white to nearly black. The worm's body is segmented and encased in a tough, parchment-like tube often covered in fine mud or debris.

Distribution & habitat

Native to the tropical waters of the Indian Ocean, the Red Sea, and the Indo-Pacific, this worm has spread to various tropical regions globally. It is commonly found in subtidal zones, attaching to hard surfaces such as rocks, coral rubble, and harbor pilings, or embedding its tube into soft substrates like sandy flats.

Feeding

As a suspension feeder, it extends its radioles to capture plankton and suspended organic matter from the surrounding water. When disturbed, the worm can rapidly retract its entire crown into its tube for protection, re-emerging once it senses the environment is safe.