Phylum: Echinodermata

Class: Holothurioidea

Order: Dendrochirotida

Family: Psolidae

Scientific name: Psolus phantapus

 

Norwegian: skjellpølse

(Storsteinan - The Trondheim fjord / 26 meters / 6.06.2004)

Distribution: This sea cucumber is usually found deeper than 20 meters on muddy habitats. It prefers current exposed location where there are good access to food drifting by. Most of the body is hidden in the ground. It retract its tentacles when disturbed. Juveniles may be found on laying on rocks. This specie exists along the entire Norwegian coast.

Characteristics:  The body may reach a length of 20 cm. It has five pairs of orange and white tentacles. Together with the front section of the body, they are covered by red spots.

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