Cirratulus cirratus (O. F. Müller, 1776)

Synonyms:
Lumbricus cirratus Müller, 1776
Cirratulus borealis Oersted, 1843
Cirratulus cirratus Fauvel, 1927

Distinguishing characteristics
Prostomium with 4-8 black eyes on each side.
Two groups of 2-24 palps and long, filamentous branchiae, starting at first chaetiger.

Species description
Body long and cylindrical. Prostomium with a blunt cone and 4-8 black eyes on each side. Two groups of 2-24 palps inserted on the anterior edge of first chaetiger. Branchiae long and filamentous, starting at first chaetiger, almost to the tail end. All chaetigers with capillary chaetae. Stout, blunt chaetae occur ventrally from chaetiger 10-12 and dorsally from chaetiger 20-23.

Size
Up to 300 mm for 150 segments.

Color
Orange, pink or brownish red. Palps and branchiae red or yellow.

Habitat
Lower shore, in mud or muddy sand beneath or between rocks. Burrow dwelling.

Mobility

Feeding
Deposit feeder.

Life cycle
Lecithotrophic. During the breeding season their colour changes, the females become bright yellow and the males white.

Distribution
North Sea, Skagerrak, Kattegat to Öresund, South Atlantic.