It is found in shallow, tidal waters with a bed of mud, sand or gravel.

The head has two fans of 8–45 feathery radioles arising from fleshy, semi-circular lobes.

The body is mostly grey-green while the radioles are brown, red or purple with darker bands.

[2] The worm lives inside a smooth tube of fine mud or sand particles held together with mucus.

[3] The crown is highly sensitive to light and pressure and quickly retracts in response to motion or shadow.