Fauna
Invertebrate

Sea Apple

Pseudocolochirus violaceus

Also known as Violet Sea Apple, Purple Sea Apple, Australian Sea Apple

Sea apples are strikingly colorful, egg-shaped sea cucumbers that decorate Indo-Pacific reefs with shades of purple, red, and yellow. They use a crown of highly branched, feathery tentacles to capture microscopic plankton from the water column, sweeping them into their mouths one by one. When severely threatened, they can swell with water, float away, or release a toxic chemical that can devastate nearby marine life.

MarineColorfulFilter Feeder
Sea Apple reference
Marrabbio2 / CC BY-SA 3.0 · cc-by-sa
—observations
—countries
—peak records
Not EvaluatedConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXNot Evaluated — not placed on the risk ladderRed List categories, explained →
Key facts
Diet & preyPhytoplankton, Zooplankton, Detritus
Predators
  • Large predatory fish
  • Crabs
  • Sea stars
ThreatsHabitat destruction and overcollection for the aquarium trade
HabitatsCoral reefs and rocky sea floors
Life span5 to 10 years
Classification
  1. FamilyCucumariidae
  2. SpeciesPseudocolochirus violaceus
Range & activity
Range data is not available yet.
Safe observation
Interaction riskHigh
  1. Low
  2. Moderate
  3. High
  4. Very high
Why interaction risk is high
Contains holothurin toxins that are harmful if ingested; avoid handling to prevent stress-induced toxin release.
Why it is dangerous
Releases holothurin, a potent toxin that can destroy red blood cells and is highly lethal to fish and marine life.
How to recognize a risky encounter
Recognized by its round, apple-like shape, vibrant purple or blue body, bright red feet, and yellow tentacles.
What to do
Never touch or stress this animal, especially in enclosed waters like tide pools or aquariums.
Responsible observation
  • Observe from a distance: Avoid touching or disturbing them, as stress can trigger toxic chemical release.
  • Watch the tentacles: Look for the rhythmic sweeping of their colorful, branching tentacles into their mouths.
Related species
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