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Thorny
sea cucumber
Colochirus quadrangularis
Family Cucumariidae
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On
Chek Jawa, Thorny sea cucumbers appear to be seasonal: sometimes they
are everywhere, at other times they are not seen at all! These sea
cucumbers have attractive red or yellow feeding tentacles which are
withdrawn when the animal is out of water or feels threatened. To
see these tentacles, leave the animal in water and don't disturb it.
You may have to be patient and wait for the animal to feel safe before
it extends its delicate, branched feeding tentacles.
Harmless thorns: Thorny sea cucumbers
have thorns on their body. But these are soft and they do not sting.
They have an under and upperside. The underside has several rows of
red tube feet. The tube feet may be used to stick to seagrass and
other things.
Thorny food: When submerged in
water, feeding tentacles are extended to gather tiny organic matter
suspended in the water. Each tentacle is inserted one by one into
the central mouth and wiped clean of any edibles. |
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Long
tube feet
Breathing through
its backside! |
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quick
facts
6-8cm, seasonally common in the seagrass lagoon
Classification:
Class Holothuroidea
Phylum Echinodermata |
