Sea Cucumber (<i>Holothuria arguinensis</i>) as a Shelter for Juvenile Fish (<i>Diplodus bellottii</i>) in the Gulf of Cadiz (Southwestern Spain)

Abstract

During a diving survey on soft-bottom habitats in the Gulf of Cadiz (Southwestern Spain), the use of the sea cucumber Holothuria arguinensis (Echinodermata, Holothuriidae) as a shelter by juvenile Senegal’s sea bream Diplodus bellottii (Chordata: Sparidae) was observed. Eight juvenile sea bream D. bellottii were videoed sheltering under the sea cucumber’s body. This observation highlights the importance of sea cucumbers as a shelter for juvenile fish, providing a microhabitat to take refuge from predators. This is the first report of juvenile sea bream sheltered by a sea cucumber.

Keywords

• refuge
• microhabitat
• holothurians
• young fish
• Atlantic Ocean