# Red-Trumpet Calcareous Tubeworm (*serpula columbiana*) The Red-Trumpet Calcareous Tubeworm is a fascinating creature that builds a colorful tube in the ocean. These little worms help clean the water by filtering tiny particles to eat! - **Category:** [Invertebrate](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/invertebrate) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 0/5 · No known danger - **Snaps:** 2 - **Habitat:** Coastal waters and rocky marine environments. - **Also known as:** Calcareous Worm, Marine Worm ![Red-Trumpet Calcareous Tubeworm](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Serpula_columbiana.jpg&width=800) Photo: Cricket Raspet, CC BY 4.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Serpula_columbiana.jpg) ## Appearance The Red-Trumpet Calcareous Tubeworm builds a hard, twisted, white tube that attaches to surfaces. Its most striking feature is a vibrant, trumpet-shaped feeding crown, often bright red or orange, which unfurls from the tube opening. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Annelida - **Class:** Polychaeta - **Order:** Sabellida - **Family:** Serpulidae - **Genus:** Serpula ## Interesting facts - If their colorful feeding crown gets nibbled, they can grow a brand new one! - They can quickly pull their entire body inside their tube when danger is near! - This tubeworm is actually a marine segmented worm, not a typical earthworm! - Wow, their hard, twisted tubes are made of calcium, just like your bones! ## Special abilities - **Armored Home:** Red-Trumpet Calcareous Tubeworm can construct a strong, limestone tube that helps them stay safe from predators. - **Feathered Filter:** Red-Trumpet Calcareous Tubeworm has a delicate, feathery crown that helps them filter tiny food particles from water. - **Quick Retreat:** Red-Trumpet Calcareous Tubeworm can rapidly retract its soft body into its tube when sensing danger. ## Measurements & details - **Length:** 10 cm - **Size:** 0.5 cm - **Lifespan:** 5 years - **Maximum Depth:** 30 m - **Habitat Temperature:** 15 C ## Diet & Feeding This tubeworm catches tiny floating bits of food from the water using its beautiful feathery crown! - **Primary Foods:** phytoplankton, zooplankton, detritus, small organic particles - **Foraging Method:** Filter feeding ## Ecological connections - **Eaten by:** [Ochre Sea Star](https://www.snappit.app/explore/ochre-sea-star) (*Pisaster ochraceus*) — Sea stars are generalist predators of sessile invertebrates. - **Eaten by:** Kelp Greenling (*Hexagrammos decagrammus*) — Some fish may nibble on the worm's exposed feeding crown. - **Eaten by:** Six-rayed Sea Star (*Leptasterias hexactis*) — This small sea star preys on many invertebrates including tubeworms. ## Traits - [Solitary](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/solitary): Solitary animals live alone for most of their lives, only interacting with others for mating or parental care. - [Colorful](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/colorful): Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors. - [Filter Feeder](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/filter-feeder): Filter feeders obtain nutrients by straining suspended food particles and small organisms from water. - [Aquatic](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/aquatic): Aquatic habitats encompass environments where organisms live predominantly in water, including oceans, rivers, lakes, and wetlands. - [Marine](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/marine): Marine habitats encompass all saltwater environments of the Earth's oceans, supporting an immense diversity of aquatic life. ## Collections - [Invertebrates](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/invertebrates) ## Safety **Danger:** 0/5 · No known danger No special safety notes yet. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Red-Trumpet Calcareous Tubeworm? Look for fins, arms, tentacles, shells and body symmetry. Underwater light shifts colors, so structure and markings usually matter more than shade. Sea Creature Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### How long is Red-Trumpet Calcareous Tubeworm? 10 cm ### How big is Red-Trumpet Calcareous Tubeworm? 0.5 cm ### How long does Red-Trumpet Calcareous Tubeworm live? 5 years ### What does Red-Trumpet Calcareous Tubeworm eat? This tubeworm catches tiny floating bits of food from the water using its beautiful feathery crown! ### Where is Red-Trumpet Calcareous Tubeworm usually found? Coastal waters and rocky marine environments. ### How does Red-Trumpet Calcareous Tubeworm hunt? Filter feeding ### How deep can Red-Trumpet Calcareous Tubeworm go? 30 m ## Where to spot - [East Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/east-park) — Washington, US · Park - [Old Town Eureka](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/old-town-eureka) — California, US · Historic District ## More Invertebrate - [Coral](https://www.snappit.app/explore/coral) - [Crab Spider](https://www.snappit.app/explore/crab-spider) (*Mecaphesa asperata*) - [Garden Spider](https://www.snappit.app/explore/garden-spider) (*Araneus diadematus*) - [Brown Recluse Spider](https://www.snappit.app/explore/brown-recluse-spider) (*Loxosceles reclusa*) --- Source: [Red-Trumpet Calcareous Tubeworm Facts — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/red-trumpet-calcareous-tubeworm)