Invertebrate
Orange Sea Cucumber
Cucumaria miniataAlso known as Red Sea Cucumber, Orange Cucumaria
Orange sea cucumbers wedge their cylindrical bodies deep into rocky crevices and extend a crown of ten branching, mucus-coated tentacles into tidal currents to trap drifting organic particles. Each loaded tentacle is periodically inserted into the central mouth and wiped clean in a methodical feeding cycle. In early spring, coastal waters often turn milky as entire populations broadcast spawn synchronously, releasing bright green eggs and white sperm.
MarineInvertebrateFilter Feeder
—observations
—countries
—peak records
Not EvaluatedConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXNot Evaluated — not placed on the risk ladderRed List categories, explained →
Diet & preyPhytoplankton, Zooplankton, Suspended Organic Detritus
Predators
- Sunflower Sea Star
- Morning Sun Star
- Sea Otter
ThreatsCoastal pollution, water runoff, and marine heatwaves
HabitatsRocky intertidal and subtidal reefs, crevices, pilings, and docks
Life span5–10 years
Classification
- OrderDendrochirotida
- FamilyCucumariidae
- GenusCucumaria
- SpeciesCucumaria miniata
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.
Responsible observation
- Low Tide Searching: Look inside deep, shaded crevices and under overhangs at extreme low tide to spot bright orange tentacles.
- Minimize Disturbance: Avoid prodding the sensitive tentacle crown, as this forces the animal to retract and stop feeding.
Ecological Neighbor (c) Ken-ichi Ueda, some rights reserved (CC BY) · cc-by
Predator Jerry Kirkhart from Los Osos, Calif. / CC BY 2.0 · cc-by
Image unavailablePredator 
Ecological Neighbor no rights reserved · cc0
Keep collecting in Fauna
Found in Collections
Ecosystem chain Pro
Coral Currents
Orange Sea Cucumber is found in this collection. Identify it in Fauna to fill this slot and continue your progress.
Unlock to track progress
Help improve the field guideSomething wrong?
Checking your Fauna account…Report a name, category, or profile issue for review.