Common name: California Sea Cucumber

General information

The California Sea Cucumber, Apostichopus californicus, is a large echinoderm native to the Pacific coast of North America. It is known for its leathery skin and elongated body. In the wild, these sea cucumbers play a crucial role in the ecosystem by recycling nutrients as they process organic matter in the substrate.

Care

In captivity, Apostichopus californicus requires a spacious tank with a thick sand bed and plenty of live rock to provide hiding places and surfaces for grazing. They are detritivores, feeding on decaying organic matter and detritus in the substrate. It's important to maintain stable water parameters and provide a diet supplemented with sinking pellets or meaty foods if natural detritus is insufficient.

Reproduction

Reproduction in Apostichopus californicus involves the release of eggs and sperm into the water column, where fertilization occurs externally. In the aquarium, breeding is rare, but with optimal conditions, it is possible to observe spawning behavior.

Habitat

The natural habitat of the California Sea Cucumber includes rocky substrates and sandy bottoms from the intertidal zone to depths of over 250 meters. They are commonly found along the coast of California, extending northward to Alaska and southward to Baja California.