General Description

Body oval shape, soft and smooth, black to brown. Up to 3 cm long.

Biology

Females seasonally brood many juveniles in an internal body cavity (coelom) during late winter for release in spring. The presence of embryos of different size, and evidence of mid-body constriction, suggest that cloning occurs within the coelom. There is some evidence that the form in southeast Tasmania may be a separate species. A larger red to orange-coloured form in eastern and western Victoria and South Australia is yet to be described and named.

Habitat

Rock crevices and on seaweed, to depth of at least 26 m.

Reefs

Distribution guide

South-eastern Australia.

Species Group

Sea cucumbers

Depth

Shore (0-1 m)
Shallow (1-30 m)

Water Column

On or near sea floor

Max Size

3 cm

Diet

Organic matter

Commercial Species

No

Global Dispersal

Native to Australia

Species Code

MoV 1859

Identify

• Sea Cucumbers

Conservation Status

• DSE Advisory List : Not listed
• EPBC Act 1999 : Not listed
• IUCN Red List : Not listed