Diet and Feeding
Holothuroidea are mostly deposit feeders that graze the epileptic algal matrix for food (Ruppert, et al 2004). The matrix is comprised of algae, copepods, plankton and detritus. Suspension feeding species of sea cucumber position themselves in the opposite direction to current flow, by doing this they are able to catch food more efficiently, however H. impatiens sift through the bottom sediments using their tentacles. It is commonly known that sea cucumbers act as decomposers (Kotpal, 2009). By breaking down dead biological matter and waste products and converting them into usable energy sea cucumbers are able to recycle nutrients in the ecosystem. They are efficient sediment reworkers or bioturbators, it is because of this that sea cucumbers are highly valued specimens in the marine ecosystem.
Figure 6: Holothurian feeding tentacles |