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California Sea Cucumber

Apostichopus californicus

California Sea Cucumber

Apostichopus californicus
Other Common Names
Giant sea cucumber, giant red sea cucumber
At the Aquarium
Rocky Coast
Other Common Names
Giant sea cucumber, giant red sea cucumber

At the Aquarium

Rocky Coast

Appearance

These tube-shaped animals are dark red with lighter orange or yellow conical papillae, which are stiff, spine-like structures on their body. They have 5 rows of tube feet on their underside.

Habitat

Coastal waters, from the low intertidal to depths of 820 feet, over a variety of substrates including mud, gravel, shell, or rock.

Diet

Deposit feeders: bacteria, fungi

Life History

California sea cucumbers reach sexual maturity when they are 9 inches long, at 4 years of age. They move to shallow waters in spring and summer, where they reproduce by broadcast spawning, rising partly up to release their orange eggs or white sperm strands into the water. The planktonic larvae feed on plankton for 35-125 days before settling to the seafloor.
They can grow to 20 inches and live up to 12 years.

IUCN Status

Not Evaluated

Ecosystem & Cultural Importance

The main predators of the California sea cucumber are the sunflower star and purple sun star, but they contribute to the diet of many species, including sea otters. A scale worm will sometimes live on the body of a California sea cucumber.
California sea cucumbers support a commercial fishery, but most are exported to Asia.
These cucumbers are important to their habitats because their deposit feeding disturbs the upper sediment layer, making it more permeable and increasing oxygen concentration for organisms living within the sediment. In addition, their fecal casts contain inorganic nitrogen and phosphorus which can be used by photosynthetic microalgae living on the sediment surface.
Range
Alaska to Baja California, Mexico
On the Oregon Coast
It is possible to find california sea cucumbers in tide pools.
Fun Facts
California sea cucumbers reach sexual maturity when they are 9 inches long, at 4 years of age. They move to shallow waters in spring and summer, where they reproduce by broadcast spawning, rising partly up to release their orange eggs or white sperm strands into the water. The planktonic larvae feed on plankton for 35-125 days before settling to the seafloor.
They can grow to 20 inches and live up to 12 years.

Citations & Other Resources

Back to All Animals

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About Oregon Coast Aquarium

Since opening in 1992, the Oregon Coast Aquarium has been a premier attraction on Oregon’s central coast and an enduring advocate for the health of our ocean. For over three decades this 501(c)3 non-profit organization has supported marine wildlife and fostered environmental stewardship through its education programs, community partnerships, and rehabilitation efforts. Accredited by the Association of Zoos & Aquariums, the Oregon Coast Aquarium is consistently ranked as one of the top 10 aquariums in the U.S., providing visitors with opportunities to connect with 15,000 animals spanning 300 different species. The Oregon Coast Aquarium is located at 2820 S.E. Ferry Slip Rd., Newport, OR. Learn more about the Oregon Coast Aquarium and its vital work at aquarium.org, 541-867-3474. Follow us on Facebook or Twitter for the latest updates.

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