Christmas Tree Worm

The Christmas Tree Worm (Spirobranchus giganteus) is a colorful marine worm with beautiful, spiraling plumes that resemble a fir tree. These animals are colorful, and can be red, orange, yellow, blue and white.

The "Christmas tree" shown here are the animal's radioles, which can be up to about 1-1/2 inches across. The rest of the worm burrows into a tube in the coral, where it can withdraw to protect itself.