Question for Dr. Bill...

[paradicio]

I was out at the dive park saturday and saw, what I'm assuming was a Sea Cucumber, doing something I've never seen one do before! See the picture below...

Just wondering if you've seen this before and could provide some insight into what it was doing.

Note to moderators:
If Dr. Bill is willing, it might be fun to have an "Ask Dr. Bill" sticky in the forum. As a marine biologist that's specialized in our little corner of the world, we could all stand to learn quite a bit from him. Just a thought...

 

[drbill]

Darn it... you're the second person to see this and yet in 38 years of diving here off Catalina, I've never observed it much less filmed it!!!!

That warty sea cucumber is casting its sperm or eggs into the water. It's cucumber sex.

The other person who observed it got some video footage. I guess I'm just going to have to keep an eye out for the "horniest" sea cucumber in the area and sit tight waiting for it to reproduce.

By the way, what time of day was this? In the past I've guessed they broadcast spawned at dusk or at night. However, I think the guy who videotaped it saw it in the late afternoon.

 

[paradicio]

Well, now I feel like a Peeping Tom! Thank you for the info!

That picture was taken on our first dive of the day which we logged at 11:26am.

Another question off the topic of horny sea cucumbers...

The viz has been really bad the last couple of times we've been at the park. Do you think the invading Sargassum filicinum has something to do with it?

 

[drbill]

Just saw this. Several have guessed this is the case, and I'm pretty sure the alga produces a lot of spores given its rapid invasion of our waters over the past two years. We're also getting into early plankton season.

 

[pir8]

Even though I'm on the other coast I would love to see a Dr Bill Sticky Thread

 

[fisheater]

Even though I'm on the other coast I would love to see a Dr Bill Sticky Thread

Me, too! (And I'm on the left coast.)

 

[drbill]

Gee guys, creating a Dr. Bill sticky thread is a pretty sticky proposition if you ask me.

Just like to say thanks to Sean for his permission to use this and another image of the spawning cuke. Maybe if I dive another 38 years in our waters, I may be able to capture it on video!