Sabellaria alveolata is an annelid (ringed worm) that lives in small tubes it constructs from cemented coarse sand and/or shell material, forming reefs.
The tubes are arranged in close proximity and have a distinctive honeycomb-like appearance.
These reefs range from 30 centimetres (12 in) to 2 metres (6.6 ft) thick and take the form of hummocks, sheets or more massive formations.
Adult size ranges from 30 to 40 millimetres (1.2 to 1.6 in).
The thorax has three pairs of flattened chaetal sheaths, its chaetes form an operculum which is used to seal the tube opening.
Depending on the local substrate, the colour of the tube varies.
Sabellaria alveolata is an annelid (ringed worm) that lives in small tubes it constructs from cemented coarse sand and/or shell material, forming reefs. The tubes are arranged in close proximity and have a distinctive honeycomb-like appearance. These reefs range from 30 centimetres (12 in) to 2 metres (6.6 ft) thick and take the form of hummocks, sheets or more massive formations. Adult size ranges from 30 to 40 millimetres (1.2 to 1.6 in). The thorax has three pairs of flattened chaetal sheaths, its chaetes form an operculum which is used to seal the tube opening. Depending on the local substrate, the colour of the tube varies.
Sabellaria alveolata