Description: This terebellid has a long, firm body which is usually 30-60 mm in length. It is usually a uniform dark brown, red or dark orange or olive in colour with no white spots. The gills are a bright red, while the tentacles are yellow. This worm builds a fragile, sandy tube usually entangled amongst algae or hydroids.

Habitat: Lives in a fragile, sandy tube amongst algae or hydroids. Found at low water mark and sublittorally.

Distribution: Recorded from all around Britain and Ireland.

Similar Species: There are other species of Eupolymnia and other terebellids (e.g. Amphitrite figulus) which could be confused with this species. In terebellids the number of lateral lobes, and their shape is important, and specialised guides or keys are available. Close inspection of chaetae and other body projections (e.g. neuropods) may be required.

Key Identification Features:

• Long, firm body, 30-60 mm long.
• Uniform colour with no white spots.
• Bright red gills.
• Yellow tentacles.

Distribution Map from NBN: Eupolymnia nesidensis at National Biodiversity Network mapping facility, data for UK.

iNaturalist: Eupolymnia nesidensis at iNaturalist World Species Observations database.

GBIF data for Eupolymnia nesidensis

WoRMS: Eupolymnia nesidensis at World Register of Marine Species. Accepted name: Eupolymnia nesidensis (Delle Chiaje, 1828). AphiaID: 131490.

Classification: Biota; Animalia; Annelida; Polychaeta; Sedentaria; Canalipalpata; Terebellida; Terebelliformia; Terebellidae; Terebellinae; Procleini; Eupolymnia