Spirobranchus kraussii, the blue coral-worm, is a species of marine invertebrate in the family Serpulidae of order Sabellida. It is native to the Indian Ocean.Branch, G.M., Branch, M.L, Griffiths, C.L. and Beckley, L.E. (2010). Two Oceans: a guide to the marine life of southern Africa Struik Nature, Cape Town.
Synonyms Placostegus caeruleus Schmarda, 1861 (confused, subjective synonym of two other taxa)ten Hove, H. (2010). Spirobranchus kraussii (Baird, 1865). In: Read, G.; Fauchald, K. (Ed.) (2016). World Polychaeta database. Accessed through: World Register of Marine Species at http://www.marinespecies.org/aphia.php?p=taxdetails&id=555934 on 12 June 2016 Placostegus cariniferus kraussii Baird, 1865 (superseded original combination) Placostegus latiligulatus Baird, 1865 Placostegus ornatus articulata Mörch, 1863 (subjective synonym) Pomatoceros (Pomatoleios) caerulescens Augener, 1922 (subjective synonym) Pomatoleios caerulescens Augener, 1922 (subjective synonym) Pomatoleios crosslandi Pixell, 1913 (subjective synonym) Pomatoleios kraussii (Baird, 1865) (superseded recombination) Pomatoleios kraussii manilensis Pillai, 1965 (subjective synonym)
Distribution Indo-West Pacific Cape Peninsula to Mozambique South Africa Mediterranean Sea (alien) Gulf of Mexico (from synonym) Madagascar (from synonym) North Atlantic Ocean European waters [from synonym] Red Sea Persian Gulf Australia Japan India Hawaii
Description The head has two rows of feathery branches and a stalked operculum with two pointed wings and a flat cap. Length about 15mm and tubes are about 2mm inside diameter.
Habitat The blue coral-worm builds massive colonies of interwoven calcareous tubes, which can be locally abundant on moderately exposed rocky shores. It is a filter feeder.
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