Parastichopus californicus

Stimpson, 1857

California’s Red Sea Cucumber

Range: Eastern Pacific Ocean: Alaska to Baja California.

Size: 20 inches (50 cm)

Natural Environment: Inhabit sandy and rocky inner and outer coastal bottom areas and usually seen at depths between 3 - 800 feet (1 - 250 m).

Aquarium Suitability: Not collected for the home aquarium trade.

Ingests sand and feeds on the microorganisms and organic matter in the sand.

Taxonomy:

Kingdom: Animalia

Phylum: Echinodermata

Class: Holothuroidea

Order: Aspidochirotida

Family: Stichopodidae

Genus: Parastichopus

FYI: Shown here for identification only.

Has a temperature range of 59 to 68°F (15 - 20°C).

When threatened, it can expel all its stomach contents through its anus until it wants to again begin feeding. Can also expel sticky filaments to ensnare or confuse predators.