Ribbon Worm - Tubulanus superbus

Characteristics:

T. superbus may be confused with two similar species, the T. annulatus and T. nothus. T. annulatus has three white, longitudinal stripes in in stead of four. T. nothus has a white head with two black spots.

The dark or reddish brown body of T. superbus may grow to a length of 75 cm and a width of 5 mm. The two or three first transverse stripes are widely spaced while the other stripes are distributed evenly and more dense along the body. Sometimes double rings occur.

Habitat:

It may be encountered in the subtidal zone, but is more common, buried in sand or gravel down to 80 meters or more.

Distribution:

It is found along the coasts of Europe, from the Mediterranean to Scandinavia, including the British Isles.