Hydrodynamics of the sea cucumber Apostichopus japonicus in flow and acceleration fields

Abstract

Sea cucumber Apostichopus japonicus is strongly affected physically by currents and waves. However, little is known about the flow resistance of this species. In this study, fluid forces acting on a model of sea cucumber were examined in a flume tank test. Parameters for estimating hydrodynamic forces using sea wave data were obtained in tank experiments. Compared to a spheroid body, the sea cucumber model exhibits a large value of drag coefficient, however, a relatively stable value of lift coefficient regardless of the angle of attack.