fanworm 4 @ semakau 08Feb2009

fanworm 4 @ semakau 08Feb2009 from BeachBum on Vimeo.

clip showing yet another fanworm.
This one was in a good location on a mound of sand with its tube sticking out. The current of water flowing by was strong and yet the 'fan' did not retreat into the tube. I tried to cause a retraction by dripping water right above the fan. After a few tries, towards the 1.21 min mark, the fan was retracted in a split microsecond! Amazing reflex action!

Read more about Fanworms at :
http://www.wildsingapore.com/wildfacts/worm/polychaeta/sabellidae.htm