Genus
Common name: Christmas Tree Worms
Scientific name: Spirobranchus
Spirobranchus is a genus of sedentary polychaete worms, known for their colorful, spiraling gills that resemble tiny Christmas trees. These worms are popular in the reefkeeping hobby for their vibrant colors and unique appearance. They embed themselves in live coral, particularly in stony corals like Porites, and extend their gills to filter feed on plankton. While they are relatively low maintenance, they require stable water conditions and established aquariums with good water flow and plenty of suspended particulate matter to thrive.