Glowing Stuff in the Bay? - Kayak Fishing Adventures on Big Water’s Edge

taggermike · 07-25-2010, 10:15 AM

Sorry for the lare post but I just saw the question. Those are glowing polychete worms (segmented worms). Or more correctly they are the reproductive segments of polychete worms. The worms live in burrows in the bay mud and cannot leave thier holes to spawn so each year they grow extra segments that hold the sperm and eggs. They cut these segments, called epitokes, loose at certain moon phases. The epitokes rise to the surface and whirl around to mix the eggs and sperm. Why they glow I don't think any one knows. Many marine polychete reproduce this way and in some south Pacific Islands the epitokes, called palolo worms, are collected and concidered a delicacy. Mike

fishinfreak · 07-25-2010, 01:27 PM

wow mike thanks for the insight. i guess i was just lucky to be out there at the right moon phase! it was the first quarter that night so that may be the right moon phase for it to happen!?! i'm definently going to bring my camera out there next time and get some shots of them if they're out there again

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07-25-2010, 10:15 AM	#1
taggermike Senior Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Chula Vista Posts: 1,589	Sorry for the lare post but I just saw the question. Those are glowing polychete worms (segmented worms). Or more correctly they are the reproductive segments of polychete worms. The worms live in burrows in the bay mud and cannot leave thier holes to spawn so each year they grow extra segments that hold the sperm and eggs. They cut these segments, called epitokes, loose at certain moon phases. The epitokes rise to the surface and whirl around to mix the eggs and sperm. Why they glow I don't think any one knows. Many marine polychete reproduce this way and in some south Pacific Islands the epitokes, called palolo worms, are collected and concidered a delicacy. Mike

07-25-2010, 01:27 PM	#2
fishinfreak Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Posts: 46	wow mike thanks for the insight. i guess i was just lucky to be out there at the right moon phase! it was the first quarter that night so that may be the right moon phase for it to happen!?! i'm definently going to bring my camera out there next time and get some shots of them if they're out there again