FAQs about Sea Cucumber Identification 2
Related Articles: Sea
Cucumber, Marine
Scavengers, Sand Sifters
Related FAQs: Cuke
ID 1, Cuke ID 3, Cuke ID 4,
Cuke ID 5, Cuke ID 6,
Cuke ID 7, Cuke ID 8,
& Sea
Cucumbers 1, Sea Cucumbers
2, Cuke Behavior, Cuke Compatibility, Cuke Selection, Cuke Systems, Cuke Feeding, Cuke Disease, Cuke Reproduction,
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Re: Sea Cucumber... Yes... and the
Red Sea, biota, human experience generally
7/25/07 Hello Mich, <Hello again Tineke.> Thank you for
answering my question. <Welcome!> I know it is very difficult
to determinate an animal from a photo. <Sometime yes, sometimes
no.> I'm not a biologic educated but I managed with books
and the Internet to find the names. <I am biologically educated,
and rely on books, and the Internet as well. And am still at a loss
sometimes.> Most is done now but the sea cucumbers are
difficult. <Yes, they can be. Some creatures more so than
others.> As you can see by the pictures.. I still don't know
if they are right. <Me neither.> Are you specialised in
cucumbers? <Oh, no. Not by a long shot! I am merely a hobbyist
with a science background, who enjoys helping out others and
answering ID questions. I am certainly not a cucumber expert by any
means, but I do have cucumber viscera still stuck on my dive gloves
that I can't seem to remove... Guess that's what I get for
molesting the wildlife.> It is hard to find a site that is
specialised in Red Sea creatures. <I can imagine. Bob does have
quite a few articles on WWM that are specific to different
geographic regions.> Great that you coming to the Red Sea! <I
hope! "Nothing is done, until it's done" so said a
wise man to me.> It is almost the best place to be underwater.
<I do hope to see it for myself, someday soon!> I have seen
many different places underwater but I'm still in love with the
Red Sea. <I hope to! But as of yet, my experiences are still
quite limited. It is wonderful to hear your passion.> The night
dives are great and you have to make them! <Will try! Have only
done one night dive thus far... a fruitless, manta ray dive in
Hawaii... wound up with a couple of different types of urchin spine
in my thigh! Ouch! Just removed a little piece this week that's
been there since January!> Really. If you want to know something
about the Red sea, no problems, you can ask me. <Cool! Don't
know what to ask at this point, but I thank you for your most kind
offer and will keep your email on hand. Greetings,
Tineke
<Cheers, Mich> |
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Euapta godeffroyi or
Synaptamaculata |
Holothuria hilla |
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Bohadschia tenuissima |
Holothuria (Lessonothuria) pardalis
or Stichopus variegatus |
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Holothurie gigante
(Thelenota anax) |
Odd Invert With Eight Tree Branch Shaped
Tentacles! Holothuroid 8/21/07 Hello Crew, <Hi
Sean, Mich here.> I have scoured the net trying to identify
the invertebrate in the attached picture. Since I've been
able to successfully identify several of my other LR hitchhikers
on your site I thought I'd ask the experts. While the photo
does not show it well the tentacles are very dark near the base
then become the white with reddish bands further out. This
particular invert appears to have eight tentacles similar to tree
branches that are constantly curling back into itself like it is
bringing food into its mouth. Only one tentacle at a time appears
to move towards the "mouth" area. If there is a
significant movement near it it will pull all the tentacles back
into the small hole in the live rock. Each tentacle shown here is
about 1.5 - 2 inches long and they emanate from a hole that is
approximately the circumference of a thin, adult pinkie finger.
Any ideas on what type of invert this may be or something else
that behaves similarly? <Is a Sea Cucumber, we just recently
had another query like this with a very similar picture.
http://www.wetwebmedia.com/cukeidfaqs.htm Fellow crewmember, Lynn
did and excellent job describing the needs, care, and provided
links to relevant reference information. Please refer to the
query titled: Anemone Id? Nope, It's A Cuke! 8/10/07 >
Best regards, Sean <Cheers, Mich>
Sea cucumber... Yes 8/23/07 Dear
reader, <Hello Tineke, Mich with you tonight.> Maybe
you can help me with this cucumber. <Will try.> It is
found in the Red sea and only at night dives. <I hope to
visit there next year! Are you certain this animal is from
the Red Sea? Looks like a Tiger tail sea cucumber (Holothuria
thomasi) to me. But these originate from the Caribbean. There
is a Pacific Tiger tail cucumber (Holothuria hilla), which is
also quite similar.> It pulls himself back as soon as you
put your lamp on the animal. <Perhaps it is a Synapta
maculata, which are typically nocturnal and found in the Red
Sea.> Have you any idea in which direction I have to look?
<Mmm, I'm not finding much of a database for these
creatures. You can find more here and related links in blue:
http://www.wetwebmedia.com/seacukes.htm> Is it a
Holothuria? <Is a Holothurid, but not certain if it is a
Holothuria.> Or from another family? <Perhaps
Synaptidae.> And are this two the same? <The pics look
the same, but...> It would be great if you can help me.
<I wish I could be more helpful.> Thank you in advance,
<Welcome.> Tineke Smit
<Michelle Lemech>
Ede, Holland. |
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