Giant California sea cucumber

Parastichopus californicus

The giant California sea cucumber is a sea cucumber that can be found from the Gulf of Alaska to Southern California. It is found from the low intertidal zone to a depth of 250 m. They are most abundant in areas with moderate current with cobbles, boulders or bedrock.
Parastichopus californicus This fellow was found just submerged at a very low tide. Canada,Geotagged,Giant California sea cucumber,Parastichopus californicus,Spring

Appearance

The giant California sea cucumber can grow to a length of 50 cm and a width of 5 cm. It has a soft, cylindrical body, with red-brown to yellowish leathery skin. It has an endoskeleton just below the skin. The mouth and anus are on opposite ends of the body. The mouth is surrounded by twenty retractable tentacles that are used to bring food in. Five rows of tube feet extend from the mouth to the anus. Mobility is limited, though individuals can move up to 4 m per day while feeding. They use their tube feet located on the underside of their body.
Giant California Sea Cucumber There are many of these at the Seattle Aquarium. They are even in the tanks where you are allowed to touch them - they are quite soft, even if they appear spiny. Geotagged,Giant California sea cucumber,Parastichopus californicus,United States

Behavior

''P. californianus'' is a solitary nocturnal animal. It has the ability to regenerate all parts of its body. When threatened, it can expel all its stomach contents through its anus until its next feed. It can also expel sticky filaments to ensnare or confuse predators. It undertakes seasonal migrations to different depths.

These sea cucumbers have separate sexes, and eggs are fertilized externally. Spawning usually takes place in August, and each female can produce thousands of eggs. After fertilization, a larva is formed which metamorphoses into a sea cucumber after a few weeks.
Parastichicopus californicus This fellow was a giant at a half a meter long! Another great find at an extreme low tide. Canada,Geotagged,Giant California sea cucumber,Parastichopus californicus,Spring

Reproduction

''P. californianus'' is a solitary nocturnal animal. It has the ability to regenerate all parts of its body. When threatened, it can expel all its stomach contents through its anus until its next feed. It can also expel sticky filaments to ensnare or confuse predators. It undertakes seasonal migrations to different depths.

These sea cucumbers have separate sexes, and eggs are fertilized externally. Spawning usually takes place in August, and each female can produce thousands of eggs. After fertilization, a larva is formed which metamorphoses into a sea cucumber after a few weeks.

Food

The giant California sea cucumber is a scavenger that feeds on plankton and other organic matter. They feed by sifting through sediments with their tentacles, or by positioning themselves in a current where they can use their tentacles to catch food flowing by.

References:

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Taxonomy
KingdomAnimalia
DivisionEchinodermata
ClassHolothuroidea
OrderAspidochirotida
FamilyStichopodidae
GenusParastichopus
SpeciesP. californicus
Photographed in
Canada
United States of America