Short conical worm in a delicate tube made of one layer of sand grains.

Mid tide to coastal shallows in enclosed harbours and bays. Prefers fine sand to muddy sand. Makes an ice cream cone shaped tube from sand grains.

Feeds on detritus and algae within the sediments. Feeds in a head down posture, with special golden feeding structures (palps).

It has a very short life cycle of one year. Populations tend to be grouped and can be in very high numbers (up to 2000/m2).

Photo Credit: Rod Morris. Photos can be purchased from https://www.rodmorris.co.nz/ http://www.annelida.net/nz/Polychaeta/Family/Pectinariidae/pectinaria-australis.htm (accessed 21/02/13)