The Fanworm

Sabella spallanzanii, the Fanworm, belongs to the family Sabellidae. They may be also referred to as, feather duster worms, Mediterranean fanworm, European fanworm, or pencil worm. This marine polychaete worms is dwelling in the shallow waters of the Atlantic Ocean and Mediterranean Sea. Fanworms are what we call marine segmented worms, like earthworms. Unlike earthworms, they are sessile (don’t move) and are found on rocks or the sand, attached at the base. This creature can grow an average of 16 in. tall. Their tube that is attached to a base is made from the sandy-like mucus that protrudes from the worm and hardens. They have 2 layers of feather-like feeding tentacles that can retract inside of the tube. The fanworm is also a part of the filtration system on the coral reef. The fanworm is a filter feeder and will consume some of the bacteria, zooplankton, and some organic matter flowing in the currents. Since they have a low level of nutrients to maintain, they keep the water in their native area clean. Unfortunately, they have become an invasive species in some parts of the world. They have been added to the Global Invasive Species Database because of their growing and feeding ways. If they are placed in areas that have seagrass, they will grow and weigh down the leave blades, causing reproduction of some species to decrease. In their native waters they are tremendous help, but in those unfamiliar places them become detrimental.

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