Stichopus chloronotus
A widespread Indo-Pacific sea cucumber of least concern.
Stichopus chloronotus is a species of sea cucumber known by the common names greenfish sea cucumber, spiky sea cucumber, and black knobby sea cucumber. It is native to the Indo-Pacific region, has a wide range, and is abundant, leading the IUCN to list it as being of 'Least Concern'.
Quick Facts
- Genus
- Stichopus
- Species
- chloronotus
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
Stichopus chloronotus is a fairly large sea cucumber, growing to about 25 cm (10 in) with a firm but pliable body and a squarish cross section. Its skin is smooth but bears numerous conical fleshy papillae in longitudinal rows, which are larger on the lower lateral angles. The body is a deep blackish-green, with yellow or red tips to the papillae. It is native to the Indo-Pacific, with a range extending from the Red Sea and the East Coast of Africa through Madagascar, the Seychelles, the Comores, and Réunion to Australia, Indonesia, China, Japan, Guam, Fiji, Tonga, and Samoa. It lives on reefs and can also be found on rubble located on outer reef flats at depths down to about 12 m (39 ft).
Reader's Guide
Stichopus chloronotus is a detritivore that sifts through sediment on the seabed with its tentacles, feeding on detritus and other organic matter including plant and animal remains, bacteria, protozoa, diatoms, and faeces. In the process, it swallows a lot of sand and plays an important part in churning up and aerating the seabed. It can reproduce asexually by undergoing transverse fission, forming two new individuals that each regenerate the missing parts, as well as sexually. The species is gathered for human consumption across much of its range. Although not one of the most important species for this purpose, it resembles the much-favoured Japanese sea cucumber Apostichopus japonicus and is increasingly being caught in some areas as supplies of that species dwindle. Its widespread distribution and commonness in many parts of its range lead the IUCN to list it as being of 'Least Concern'. It is also known to occur in several protected areas, including the Dr. K.K. Mohammed Koya Sea Cucumber Conservation Reserve in Lakshadweep, India.
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