The sea mouse is an unusual looking segmented polychaete worm more commonly known as a bristle worm.they are flattened, often rather oval-shaped predators. Their upper surface is usually fully protected by a number of large overlapping plates, the elytra, each of which may be ornamented.It has a distinct head with two eye pairs, three antennae and palps. The proboscis has four chitinous jaws and there are bristles on each segment. It can move rather fast when disturbed.

Lower intertidal and subtidal to deep sea throughout New Zealand.Generally found crawling on various firm surfaces, including shelly substrata.

Carniverous, feeding on small crustaceans, other worms and small molluscs.

http://www.annelida.net/nz/Polychaeta/Family/F-Polynoidae.htm (Accessed 18/11/10)