Species profile
Sand Worm
Alitta virens
Identify Sand Worm (Alitta virens) from a photo — free, unlimited, no sign-up — with the CatchRules iPhone app. Plus current fishing rules across 1 jurisdiction.
At a glance
Sand Worm (Alitta virens) is an invertebrate with specific harvest rules tracked in 1 of 66 jurisdictions covered by CatchRules.
Confirmed by 11 research-grade iNaturalist observations, with Massachusetts, Quebec, and Maine the top jurisdictions by observation count.
Notable details
- Sandworms (Alitta virens) can grow up to 3 feet long, making them giants among polychaete worms.
- They have strong, eversible jaws capable of delivering a sharp, surprising pinch.
- They burrow in U-shaped tunnels through the sand and mud of intertidal flats.
- At spawning time they transform into free-swimming forms and swarm to the surface at night.
- They are one of the most widely used saltwater fishing baits on the U.S. East Coast.
Where Sand Worm are seen
Jurisdictions with rules for Sand Worm
Background
Alitta virens (common names include sandworm and king ragworm; older scientific names including Nereis virens are still frequently used) is an annelid worm that burrows in wet sand and mud. It is classified as a polychaete in the family Nereididae .
Background excerpt adapted from Wikipedia's Sand Worm article (CC BY-SA). Visit Wikipedia for the full entry.
Other invertebrates on CatchRules
Frequently asked questions
What is Sand Worm?
Sand Worm (Alitta virens) is an invertebrate with specific harvest rules tracked in 1 of 66 jurisdictions covered by CatchRules.
What is the scientific name for Sand Worm?
Sand Worm is Alitta virens.
Is Sand Worm regulated for fishing?
Yes — Sand Worm has fishing regulations in 1 U.S. state and/or Canadian province tracked by CatchRules. See the "Jurisdictions with rules" section above for the binding-source links.
How can I identify Sand Worm?
Take a photo with the free CatchRules iPhone app — on-device identification recognizes Sand Worm along with ~1,500 other species. No sign-up, unlimited use.
Photo credit: iNaturalist / Wikipedia. Identification reference only — verify regulations with the issuing wildlife agency before retaining a catch.