Sea apple

Sea apple

Sea apple

Common name: Sea apple

Scientific name: Paracucumaria sp. and Pseudocolochirus sp.

Habitat: They are found mostly in Indo-Pacific ocean.

Description:
The Sea apple is a common name given to a kind of short and round-shaped sea cucumber that belongs to the genera Paracucumaria and Pseudocolochirus. Sea apples have round-shaped bodies that measures about 7.8 inches. A mouth-like cavity is surrounded by feather-like tentacles that helps to catch food and eat. Under the oval shaped and body, there is a row of short legs that helps to move from place to place on sea floor. Sea apples have colourful appearances. Their colours may differ depending on species, for example- the Australian species (Pseudocolochirus axiologus) has purple body with red legs and purple-white tentacles. Some have multi-coloured bodies.

Habit:
Sea apples live on plankton that they collect and filter with their tentacles. When feeding, it will extend its oral tentacles into the current to filter out food. As the food is trapped, it will then draw its entire tentacle into its mouth. They also release toxins from their body when stressed. They are mainly active at night when their tentacles are safe from hunters. However, they don’t taste very good.

Importance:
Sea apples, for their colourful appearances, are very popular as specimen in display aquariums.