This fanworm is large, 10 - 50 cm length and housed within a soft flexible tube. It has a single spirla crown of filaments that extend out the tube when it is feeding.

It grows in dense patches (up to 1000 individuals/m2) in the very low intertidal zone and subtidal zone. it can quickly colonize artificial surfaces like wharf piles.

It uses its crown of tentacles to filter plankton from the surrounding water

This invasive species has been introduced to NZ waters from the Northeast Atlantic Ocean.

This is an INVASIVE SPECIES

http://www.mpi.govt.nz/protection-and-response/finding-and-reporting-pests-and-diseases/pest-and-disease-search?article=1489 Photo Credits: Dr Serena Cox, NIWA