The tentacular crown is uniform orange, red, mauve, tan, brown, grey, or green in color.

[1] If disturbed by touch, water movement, or shadow, the tentacular crown can be quickly withdrawn entirely within the tube, by retractor muscles.

Ciliated radioles (feathery tentacles) collect planktonic particles, which are trapped in mucus and carried to the mouth.

[2] For feeding and respiration, S. insignis reportedly passes 70 ml/h/g animal (fresh weight) of water through the tentacular crown by the cilia's movement.

[3] The hooked setae of Schizobranchia insignis have been found to dig into the tube wall and serve as anchors, likely to secure the worm from being sucked out by a fish or pulled by wave action.