E. complanatas’ lack any major camouflage mechanisms and is, in fact, rather conspicuous against the sandy substrate (figure 1). However, its ventrally-flattened body has allowed it to colonise the narrow gaps and crevasses beneath boulders and coral heads (figure 2). A cryptic species, the fireworm is nocturnal, preferring low light levels to cover its nightly forays along the substrate in search of food (Pardo and Amaral, 2005). It is possible that the fireworms bristles provide enough of a deterrence that potential predators are disenchanted with the aspect of consuming this animal, potentially driving the lack of need for camouflage.
Figure 1. The inconspicuous colouration of E. complanata
Figure 2. Intertidal boulders and coral heads provide ideal shelter for E. complanata.
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