bristleworm
Hairy sea worm
A bristleworm is a marine segmented worm with bristly projections along its sides.
These bristles—called setae or chaetae—aid in movement and can deliver painful stings in some species.
Bristleworms are abundant in ocean sediments and coral reefs, where they scavenge, burrow, or filter-feed.
Aquarium keepers often encounter them as hitchhikers on live rock.
Segmented marine annelid
Underwater rock or coral formation
- tidepoolCoastal rock hollow holding seawater
- sedimentParticles settling in liquid
- benthicOf the sea bottom
- substrateUnderlying supporting material
burrow · tube · coral · estuary · intertidal · seafloor · sand · mud
Stiff hairlike structures
Eats dead organic material
- scavengerSeeker of refuse
- predatorOrganism that consumes others
- preyAnimal being hunted
- filter feederAnimal straining waterborne nutrients
bait · food chain · biodiversity · ecosystem · plankton · larvae · spawning · bioluminescence
Ocean water, chemically speaking
- reef tankAquarium mimicking coral ecosystems
- cleanup crewGroup that restores order
- hitchhikerPerson seeking free rides
- pestHarmful creature or nag
beneficial · sandbed · invertebrate · fishkeeping · marine aquarium · propagation · acclimation
polychaete
Segmented marine annelid
reef
Underwater rock or coral formation
- tidepoolCoastal rock hollow holding seawater
- sedimentParticles settling in liquid
- benthicOf the sea bottom
substrate · burrow · tube · coral · estuary · intertidal · seafloor · sand · mud · rockpool
setae
Stiff hairlike structures
- segmentsSeparate parts of something
- proboscisElongated animal head appendage
- pharynxMuscular throat cavity
gills · palps · antennae · jaws · coelom · annuli · regeneration
detritivore
Eats dead organic material
filter feeder · bait · food chain · biodiversity · ecosystem · plankton · larvae · spawning · bioluminescence · symbiosis
saltwater
Ocean water, chemically speaking
- reef tankAquarium mimicking coral ecosystems
- cleanup crewGroup that restores order
- hitchhikerPerson seeking free rides
pest · beneficial · sandbed · invertebrate · fishkeeping · marine aquarium · propagation · acclimation