Japanese Sea Cucumberマナマコ

Species Data

Classification

Aspidochirotida / Stichopodidae Source

Distribution

Found along the coasts of Russia, China, Japan, and Korea, ranging from Sakhalin south to the Amami Islands, typically in shallow waters from the intertidal zone to about 20 m depth. Source

Did You Know?

• It has three color morphs - red, green ("ao"), and black - which occupy different depths and habitats and are genetically distinct populations rather than a simple color variation. Source
• After expelling its internal organs, it can fully regenerate its digestive system within about two months. Source
• During the Edo period it was processed into dried "iriko" as one of Japan's three major trade goods for China, and today its salted intestines ("konowata") and dried gonads ("kuchiko") are still prized delicacies. Source

FAQ

What does the Japanese sea cucumber eat?

It feeds by swallowing sediment along with the organic matter, diatoms, and decaying seagrass fragments mixed into it. Source

Why does this sea cucumber come in different colors?

It has red, green, and black color morphs that inhabit different depths and are genetically distinct populations rather than simple individual variation. Source

Can it really regenerate its organs?

Yes. If it expels its internal organs as a defense response, it can fully regrow its digestive system within about two months. Source