Live sandworm Nereis specimen for study
Close-up of live Nereis sandworm
Marine worm Nereis in laboratory setting
Nereis sandworm used in science research
Detailed view of Nereis sandworm specimen
Live specimen of marine sandworm Nereis
Live sandworm Nereis specimen for study
Close-up of live Nereis sandworm
Marine worm Nereis in laboratory setting
Nereis sandworm used in science research
Detailed view of Nereis sandworm specimen
Live specimen of marine sandworm Nereis

Sandworm (Nereis) — Live Science Specimen

from $108.00
Quantity:

Live Sandworms (Nereis virens)
Please Note This Is A Live Bait and Science Specimen

The Sandworm, or Clamworm (Nereis virens), is a large polychaete worm found burrowing in sandy mudflats at mid to low tide. Known for their metallic green, orange, and brown sheen, Sandworms are prized both as premium saltwater bait and as a live invertebrate for marine biology study. When handled, these active worms extend a powerful proboscis — a fascinating adaptation used to grasp prey.

Collected fresh along the coast of Maine, these hardy worms are dug by hand or fork and packed in natural seaweed for moisture retention and temperature stability. They are perfect for saltwater anglers targeting striped bass, cod, and flounder, or for educators seeking authentic marine invertebrates for classroom study.

Common name: Sandworm, Clamworm
Scientific name: Nereis virens
Locations: Sandy mud at mid to low water
Seasonality: Available all year
Colors: Metallic orange, green, brown
Size: 4” – 12”
Collected: By hand, digging fork, or picked at night with headlamps

Quantity: Sold by the baker’s dozen (13). Packed in fresh, “wet worm-weed.” Dug fresh to order, with a natural range of small, medium, and large worms per dozen. Shipped in a compostable plant-based tub with frozen gel refrigerant for temperature control.

For longest life, keep worms at 32–38°F. Remove them from the tub into a larger container with worm-weed, rinse daily with seawater, and remove any dead worms promptly — one dead worm can spoil the rest. Properly cared for, live sandworms can survive on ice for weeks.

Important Shipping Notice:
Worm buyers, please note that we cannot guarantee UPS delivery times. While we carefully pack and ship all live worm orders with fresh seaweed, insulation, and refrigerant, UPS delays may result in perished worms. Gulf of Maine, Inc. cannot offer refunds for live shipments delayed in transit. We are a small, family-run company — not Amazon — and appreciate your understanding. Buyer beware, and thank you for supporting Maine’s local worm diggers and rural coastal economy!

Note: This is a live marine specimen. Natural variations in size, color, and activity should be expected.

Live Sandworms (Nereis virens)
Please Note This Is A Live Bait and Science Specimen

The Sandworm, or Clamworm (Nereis virens), is a large polychaete worm found burrowing in sandy mudflats at mid to low tide. Known for their metallic green, orange, and brown sheen, Sandworms are prized both as premium saltwater bait and as a live invertebrate for marine biology study. When handled, these active worms extend a powerful proboscis — a fascinating adaptation used to grasp prey.

Collected fresh along the coast of Maine, these hardy worms are dug by hand or fork and packed in natural seaweed for moisture retention and temperature stability. They are perfect for saltwater anglers targeting striped bass, cod, and flounder, or for educators seeking authentic marine invertebrates for classroom study.

Common name: Sandworm, Clamworm
Scientific name: Nereis virens
Locations: Sandy mud at mid to low water
Seasonality: Available all year
Colors: Metallic orange, green, brown
Size: 4” – 12”
Collected: By hand, digging fork, or picked at night with headlamps

Quantity: Sold by the baker’s dozen (13). Packed in fresh, “wet worm-weed.” Dug fresh to order, with a natural range of small, medium, and large worms per dozen. Shipped in a compostable plant-based tub with frozen gel refrigerant for temperature control.

For longest life, keep worms at 32–38°F. Remove them from the tub into a larger container with worm-weed, rinse daily with seawater, and remove any dead worms promptly — one dead worm can spoil the rest. Properly cared for, live sandworms can survive on ice for weeks.

Important Shipping Notice:
Worm buyers, please note that we cannot guarantee UPS delivery times. While we carefully pack and ship all live worm orders with fresh seaweed, insulation, and refrigerant, UPS delays may result in perished worms. Gulf of Maine, Inc. cannot offer refunds for live shipments delayed in transit. We are a small, family-run company — not Amazon — and appreciate your understanding. Buyer beware, and thank you for supporting Maine’s local worm diggers and rural coastal economy!

Note: This is a live marine specimen. Natural variations in size, color, and activity should be expected.

Sandworms wriggling in a bundle.

Sandworms wriggling in a bundle.

Tidepool Tim says,  "Sandworms are probably the most commonly studied marine worm of all time!  They are big, frisky, and easy to keep in the lab or aquarium.  Males are commonly green and brown in color while the larger females are orange green metallic colors.  With their large parapodia and serpentine motion, they are quite mesmerizing to watch move along the sand or swim through the water column.  These worms are annelids and made up of many segments bearing bristles called setae.  They use these setae to swim.

Sandworms in Maine and New England are harvested for fishing bait in mid-Atlantic markets.  Diggers can get as many as 2000 worms in one full tide of harvesting and make a great days pay for this work.  Many folks are scared of sandworms as they are known to bite - the worms have no real teeth - just 2 thick, black hooklike fangs that can pinch a person's hand quite hard.  This rarely happens - I have handled many thousands and never been bitten. 

In May, as the tidal flats start to warm up under the springtime sun the sandworms start to spawn.  We know this is happening when we see thousands of gulls swarming and swooping into the shallow water & mud.  Large female worms will be swarmed with many dozens of the greenish males as they lash around her.  As this ball of worms is thrashing around - the males are emitting a white sperm fluid that leaks from the end of their bodies.  Spent male worms are often seen dying on the mudflats, lying in a pool of this spermy fluid.  By this time all the birds have eaten their fill and these spent males become green crab food as the incoming tide floods the flats.   It's really quite a natural event to witness!”