Stichopus herrmanni

Lore & Background

Stichopus herrmanni is a large sea cucumber, growing up to 50 cm long, with a cylindrical body and a flat sole. Its body wall is rough and wrinkled, bearing orange-brown papillae (conical fleshy protuberances) but no large swellings. The mouth is surrounded by eight to sixteen feeding tentacles, and the sole has short tube feet. Its colour varies by location, ranging from greyish-brown, greenish-brown, or sandy-brown to mustard-yellow, orange-brown, or green and brown.

This species is found in the tropical west Indo-Pacific region, from the east coast of Africa to Malaysia, Indonesia, and Australia, on sand and mud substrates, seagrass meadows, and rubble at depths down to about 25 m. It is harvested commercially in Indonesia and northern Australia, where it is grouped with Stichopus vastus and Stichopus ocellatus under the name 'curryfish'. Historically, its flesh disintegrated easily, but modern processing methods have made it a high-value product. In Queensland, a minimum length of 35 cm is enforced.

Although the population is stable in Australia, fishing pressure is causing declines over most of its range. Overfishing of more desirable species is likely to increase exploitation of S. herrmanni, leading the International Union for Conservation of Nature to assess its conservation status as 'vulnerable'. It occurs in several protected areas, including the Dr. K.K. Mohammed Koya Sea Cucumber Conservation Reserve in Lakshwadeep, India.

Reader's Guide

Stichopus herrmanni holds significance as a commercially harvested sea cucumber in the tropical Indo-Pacific, particularly in Indonesia and northern Australia, where it is known as curryfish alongside related species. Its value has increased due to modern processing methods that overcame the historical problem of its flesh disintegrating. The species is subject to a minimum size limit of 35 cm in Queensland, reflecting management efforts. However, its conservation status is assessed as vulnerable by the International Union for Conservation of Nature, driven by fishing pressure across most of its range, with the exception of stable populations in Australia. The species is also protected within several marine reserves, such as the Dr. K.K. Mohammed Koya Sea Cucumber Conservation Reserve in Lakshwadeep, India. Its legacy is tied to the broader curryfish fishery, where landings of S. herrmanni, Stichopus vastus, and Stichopus ocellatus are recorded together, highlighting the challenges of managing a multi-species harvest.

Did You Know?

• Stichopus herrmanni is called gama in Indonesia.
• Its body wall is rough and wrinkled with orange-brown papillae.
• It is one of several species harvested as 'curryfish'.