Takshanuk Watershed Council

Category: Invertebrate

Family (birds only):

Species:

Habitat: Marine

Seasonality (birds only):

Basic Information Links:

Photo by Brad Ryan

Seen at the Small Boat Harbor April 2011 .

From Ron Horn, April 24, 2011: This was swimming in the small boat harbor on Sunday afternoon. It was about 14-16 inches long and a little more than an inch thick. It was just below the surface. Any identification would be appreciated. Thanks Ron Horn

Response from Randy Bachman, Alaska Department of Fish and Game: What you have described is most certainly a polycheate worm. Based on some online references, there are two species that can be purple and reach a foot in length. These would be Hololepida mana, the Giant Fleshy Scaleworm, and Nephtys sp., the Goddess Worm.