Do Pearlfish Kill Sea Cucumbers?

Some species just use the sea cucumbers as shelters. But the Encheliophis pearlfishes are full-blown parasites that devour their host's gonads from within.

Do Pearlfish hurt sea cucumbers?

The relationship may be commensal, in which no harm is done to the host sea cucumber, but in some species the pearlfish can function as a parasite, causing harm to its host by eating its gonads and other internal organs! ...

Do Pearlfish have to live in sea cucumbers?

They typically live inside clams, starfish, or sea squirts, and are simply commensal, not harming their hosts. However, some species are known to be parasitic on sea cucumbers, eating their gonads and living in their anal pores. Pearlfish usually live alone, or in pairs.