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Species
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Indian feather worm

Scientific name: Sabellastarte spectabilis

Size: From 2.8 to 4 inches

Color: white and brown

Distinguishing feature: The visible part looks like a feather duster of white or brown gills (or both). The hidden part is a 4 inches thick worm.

Where did we see it: Mayotte

Indian feather worm of Mayotte

Indian feather worm

Scientific name: Sabellastarte spectabilis

Size: From 2.8 to 4 inches

Color: white and brown

Distinguishing feature: The visible part looks like a feather duster of white or brown gills (or both). The hidden part is a 4 inches thick worm.

Where did we see it: Mayotte

In detail

Indian feather worm is a tubular worm often buried in sand or lodged between two corals. It deploys a feather-shaped gill wreath to the outside, allowing it to breathe or catch food.

Divers approach is not easy, it tends to retract its gills if it feels a displacement of water.

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