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sea
cucumbers text index
| photo index
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| Phylum Echinodermata > Class Holothuroidea |
| Ashy
pink sea cucumber Holothuria fuscocinerea Family Holothuriidae updated Aug 10 Where seen? This long pinkish sea cucumber is sometimes seen on our Southern shores. Usually well wedged among living corals and coral rubble, usually alone. Features: 15-20cm long. Body long and cylindrical with a distinct upperside and underside. It appears to have rows of tube feet on the flattened underside. 'Fuscocinerea' suggests 'dark' and 'ashy' and indeed, the sea cucumber does look like it has been rolled in ash with dark blotches and splotches on its generally pale pink to beige body. There are small dark-circled white spots all over its body. There are tiny spiky protrusions in the centre of the white spots. The sea cucumber spits out toxic or sticky strings (called Cuvierian tubules) when disturbed. Seen mostly at night, only a short part of the front end cautiously sticking out. It is very sensitive and will retract into its hiding place at the slightest disturbance. The front end usually facing downwards against the ground, suggesting that it browses on edible bits that settle on the ground. Siyang, Lionel and Kok Sheng have identified it and it is a new record for Singapore! |
 Sisters Islands, Aug 08  |
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Ashy pink sea cucumbers on Singapore shores
 Beting Bemban Besar, Jun 09 |
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References
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