It lengthens and shortens repeatedly and when disturbed, the normally flaccid body retracts vigorously to a fraction of its original length.

The body colour is pale brown or grey, often with white flecks or darker, longitudinal streaks and transverse banding.

[1] It is found on reefs at depths down to about 30 metres (98 ft), hiding during the day among boulders and coral debris.

The contraction of different regions of musculature enables the sea cucumber to move around as waves of peristalsis pass along the body.

In an aquarium, this sea cucumber can climb the vertical glass side by using peristalsis in this way, with the only point of attachment being the tentacles.