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Worms on the Ocean Floor That Are Edible

Numerous species of marine worms are edible. Most edible marine worms are members of phylum Annelida, and are segmented like earth worms. Though worms are not commonly eaten in the United States, ocean worms are considered a delicacy in many countries, and hunting for them is sometimes an important cultural activity. Almost all edible worms live on the ocean floor, where they burrow into mud, sand or coral reefs.

Tubeworms
- Tubeworms are members of the Annelida phylum, the same phylum to which earthworms belong. They live at the bottom of the Pacific Ocean and are named for the tubes, called chitins, that they live in. These worms form symbiotic relationships with bacteria living in their tubes, which provide them with nutrients. Both the worms themselves and their chitin tubes are edible.
Palolo Worm
- The palolo worm lives in tropical coral reefs at the bottom of the ocean, and grows to about 12 inches. Like polychaetes, they are member of phylum Annelida. They swarm to the water's surface to breed during the last quarter moon of Spring. Samoan hunters consider the worms to be a delicacy and engage in an annual worm hunt, during which they use lights to attract them.
Lug Worm
- Lug worms live in U-shaped burrows in sand. Their homes are built near the shore, and the casings formed by their excrement can frequently be seen at low tide. They are hermaphrodites, but reproduce sexually. They rarely emerge from their sandy homes, and can be recognized by their reddish brown bodies with clearly demarcated body segments.
Spoon Worms
- Considered a delicacy in South Korea, Echicuria, more commonly known as spoon worms, are burrowing worms that live in sand, mud and coral reefs. These worms eat using a proboscis, an elongated appendage that allows them to capture particulate matter in the ocean. Though they are classified in phylum Annelida with other segmented worms, they lack true body segments.

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