Species · GBIF taxon 2279100
Japanese Sea Cucumber
Apostichopus japonicusAlso known as Japanese Spiky Sea Cucumber, Red Sea Cucumber, Black Sea Cucumber
Japanese sea cucumbers crawl slowly across the seafloor, vacuuming up organic detritus and recycling vital nutrients back into the marine ecosystem. They occur in three distinct color morphs (red, green, and black) which occupy slightly different depths and substrate types. When threatened, these soft-bodied echinoderms can eject their internal organs as a defensive distraction, regenerating them completely within a few weeks.
BenthicDetritivoreEchinoderm
—observations
—countries
—peak records
EndangeredConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXEndangeredRed List categories, explained →
Diet & prey
- Organic detritus
- Microalgae
- Marine bacteria
Predators
- Sea stars
- Crabs
- Predatory fish
ThreatsOverfishing, illegal poaching, habitat degradation, and climate change.
HabitatsShallow temperate rocky reefs, muddy bays, and kelp forests.
Life span5 to 10 years
Size / weightNot available
Classification
- FamilyStichopodidae
- SpeciesApostichopus japonicus
Range data is not available yet.
Interaction riskLow
- Low
- Moderate
- High
- Very high
- Why interaction risk is low
- Safe to observe at a normal distance.
- What to notice
- Look for a cylindrical, spiky body with prominent, fleshy papillae, typically measuring 20 to 40 centimeters in length.
- Support conservation
- Never collect or disturb wild individuals; support sustainable aquaculture initiatives instead of purchasing wild-caught specimens.
Responsible observation
- Look but do not touch: Handling causes extreme stress, which can trigger them to eject their internal organs.
- Scan the shallows: Look for their bumpy, cylindrical bodies camouflaged among rocky crevices and kelp holdfasts.
- Observe the sediment: Watch for the clean trails they leave behind as they vacuum and filter the seafloor.
Natural Predator Jerry Kirkhart from Los Osos, Calif. / CC BY 2.0 · cc-by
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