Sabellastarte spectabilis

Sabellastarte spectabilis
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Annelida
Clade: Pleistoannelida
Clade: Sedentaria
Order: Sabellida
Family: Sabellidae
Genus: Sabellastarte
Species:
S. spectabilis
Binomial name
Sabellastarte spectabilis
(Grube, 1878) [1]
Synonyms
S. spectabilis

Sabellastarte spectabilis is a species of benthic marine polychaete worm in the Sabellidae family. It is commonly known as the feather duster worm, feather duster or fan worm.[2] It is native to tropical waters of the Indo-Pacific but has spread to other parts of the world. It is popular in aquariums because of its distinctive appearance and its ability to remove organic particles and improve water quality.[3]

Polychaetes, or marine bristle worms, have elongated bodies divided into many segments. Each segment may bear setae (bristles) and parapodia (paddle-like appendages). Some species live freely, either swimming, crawling or burrowing, and these are known as "errant". Others live permanently in tubes, either calcareous or parchment-like, and these are known as "sedentary".

  1. ^ a b Read, G. (2010). Read G, Fauchald K (eds.). "Sabellastarte spectabilis (Grube, 1878)". World Polychaeta database. World Register of Marine Species. Retrieved 2011-12-26.
  2. ^ Introduced marine species of Hawaii
  3. ^ Fan Worms & Feather Dusters (Annelids)