Clam Worm
Alitta succinea · Also known as: pile worm, Nereis succinea, sand worm (loosely)
Segmented bait worm of Mid-Atlantic mud and sand, wriggling in wrack, under rocks, and on clam flats around Ocean City.
Quick facts
| Group | Marine worm |
|---|---|
| Likelihood nearby | ★★★★☆ |
| Habitats | Coastal bays, Salt marsh, Ocean beach, Inlet, Assateague State Park, Assateague National Seashore |
| Seasons (this coast) | year-round |
How to recognize them
- Long, many-legged polychaete with paddle-like parapodia; colors from iridescent green to reddish-brown.
- Can exceed several inches; head has tentacles and jaws.
Biology notes
- Omnivorous polychaete of mudflats and oyster bars; important prey for fish and shorebirds.
- Famous as bait; spawning “heteronereis” forms swim in the water column seasonally.
Where to see them around Ocean City
- Bay mudflats and marsh edges at low tide; under wrack on ocean beaches.
- Bait shops in Ocean City sell related sand/blood worms for anglers.
When to look
- Year-round in sediment; night low tides can reveal surface crawlers.
Viewing tips & etiquette
- Jaws can pinch—use tweezers or a stick if examining. Refill any dig holes.
