Worms

Marine worms are a diverse group of soft-bodied invertebrates, encompassing segmented polychaetes, unsegmented sipunculans (peanut worms), and flattened flatworms. Their body forms range from elongated and cylindrical to distinctly flattened, with lengths varying from a few millimeters to over 50 cm (20 in) in larger species. While many members of this group are inconspicuous, several tube-dwelling species are readily identified by their colourful, feathery crowns of gills and feeding tentacles that extend from a secreted tube fixed to reef structures.

These worms inhabit a wide range of marine environments, from shallow intertidal zones down to the deepest reef slopes. Many live cryptically buried in sand, rubble, or within rock crevices, while tube-dwelling forms remain permanently attached to hard substrates. Their diets are varied: many tube-dwelling species are filter feeders, capturing plankton with their crown tentacles. Other species graze on algae, scavenge detritus, or actively prey on small invertebrates. These animals are common inhabitants across all 🌊 Red Sea dive sites, though many species quickly retract into their tubes or burrows when disturbed.