Description: Ophiodromus flexuosus is a free-living polychaete worm which can swim vigorously if disturbed. It is dark brown in colour with blue-green stripes across the back.

Habitat: This species is normally found amongst Virgularia mirabilis and Amphiura filiformis in fine muddy sand at depths from 5m to at least 30m.

Distribution: Widespread all round the British Isles.

Key Identification Features:

• Short broad body
• Blue-green stripes across the body

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

iNaturalist: Ophiodromus flexuosus at iNaturalist World Species Observations database.

GBIF data for Oxydromus flexuosus

WoRMS: Ophiodromus flexuosus at World Register of Marine Species. Accepted name: Oxydromus flexuosus (Delle Chiaje, 1827). AphiaID: 710680.

Classification: Biota; Animalia; Annelida; Polychaeta; Errantia; Phyllodocida; Nereidiformia; Hesionidae; Ophiodrominae; Ophiodromini; Ophiodromus