Iridescent Fireworm

Eurythoe complanata

• Group: Other
• Typical depth: 1–1100 m

Run your fingers over this fireworm and the bristles along its sides snap off and lodge in the skin, delivering a painful sting. It lives under boulders and in rock pools on hard ground from one metre down to well over a thousand, hunting sponges, hydroids, and other soft prey.

Taxonomy: Animalia › Annelida › Polychaeta › Amphinomida › Amphinomidae › Eurythoe

Species data via the World Register of Marine Species (WoRMS), AphiaID 129829.