Pelagothuriidae is a family of deep-sea swimming

sea cucumber Sea cucumbers are echinoderms from the class Holothuroidea (). They are marine animals with a leathery skin and an elongated body containing a single, branched gonad. Sea cucumbers are found on the sea floor worldwide. The number of holothuria ...

s. They are somewhat unusual in appearance, in comparison with other sea cucumbers, having numerous appendages, including conical papillae and leaf-like tentacles. Most of them are benthopelagic, which means that they are able to swim for a time from the bottom : the species ''

Pelagothuria natatrix ''Pelagothuria'' is a genus of sea cucumbers in the family Pelagothuriidae. It is monotypic, being represented by the single species ''Pelagothuria natatrix''. Characteristics This sea cucumber is somewhat unusual in appearance in comparison ...

'' is the only true pelagic holothurian (and echinoderm, to date) ; it looks like a jellyfish. Most members of the order inhabit deep-sea environments, like ''

Enypniastes ''Enypniastes'' is a genus of deep-sea sea cucumber. It is monotypic, being represented by the single species ''Enypniastes eximia''. Due to its unique appearance, the species has been dubbed the headless chicken fish, headless chicken monster, ...

''.

Classification

Family: Pelagothuriidae * genus ''

'' Théel, 1882 * genus '' Pelagothuria'' Ludwig, 1893

References

* *

Notes

Echinoderm families {{Holothuroidea-stub