General Description
Body soft, dark grey-brown. Body wall is slightly leathery and lacks ossicles. Up to 6 mm long.
Biology
This is one of the smallest holothuroids in the world. Sexes are not separate, and all specimens have two "pockets" (marsupia) at the oral (mouth) end of the dorsal body. The two small ventral tentacles have been observed extending back to the openings of these marsupia from where small tube feet extend, presumably the means of putting eggs or embryos into the marsupia.
Habitat
Attached to brown seaweed fronds in high wave energy parts of the coast, to depth of at least 2 m.
Reefs
Distribution guide
South-eastern Australia, including western and central Victoria.
Species Group
Depth
Shore (0-1 m)
Shallow (1-30 m)
Water Column
Max Size
6 cm
Diet
Organic matter
Commercial Species
No
Global Dispersal
Native to Australia
Identify
Conservation Status
- DSE Advisory List : Not listed
- EPBC Act 1999 : Not listed
- IUCN Red List : Not listed