Leopard fish (Bohadschia argus)

Classification (WoRMS)

Full classification as recorded by WoRMS: Kingdom: Animalia · Phylum: Echinodermata · Class: Holothuroidea · Order: Holothuriida · Family: Holothuriidae · Genus: Bohadschia.

Accepted name: Bohadschia argus · Authority: Jaeger, 1833 · Taxonomic status: accepted · AphiaID: 210768.

Synonyms and superseded combinations recorded for this taxon: Holothuria (Holothuria) argus Jaeger, 1833.

Source: World Register of Marine Species (WoRMS) — https://www.marinespecies.org/aphia.php?p=taxdetails&id=210768 (CC BY 4.0). Accessed 2026-09-25.

Biology and life history (SeaLifeBase)

Measured values published by SeaLifeBase for Bohadschia argus. Only fields the database actually holds for this species are shown; these are database values, not aquarium guidance.

Maximum length: 60 cm · Common length: 36 cm · Depth range: 0–30 m · Habitat zone: reef-associated · Vulnerability index: 44 of 100 · Fishery importance: commercial · Aquarium trade: never/rarely.

SeaLifeBase notes: Populations never reach high densities (generally between 0.001 and 0.01 per square meter). Occasionally collected by divers in artisanal fisheries, although the sticky Cuvierian tubules make the collection and processing disagreeable. Processed product is not distinguished from those of other Bohadschia species; little commercial value. Found in shallow waters; a typical reef species, generally on barrier reef flats and slopes, or outer lagoons on white sand (Ref. 122).

On coarse sand near reef structures. Capable of burrowing into upper sediments (Ref. 92930). Symbiotic pearlfish (Carapidae, Ophidiiformes) are often found in the respiratory tree or the general cavity (Ref. 122).

Source: SeaLifeBase species summary (SpecCode 83479) — https://www.sealifebase.se/summary/Bohadschia-argus.html (CC BY-NC 3.0 — non-commercial use only). Accessed 2026-09-25.

Distribution and occurrence records (GBIF)

4,731 georeferenced occurrence records for Bohadschia argus are published through GBIF from 38 countries or marine areas. The map above plots 229 distinct locations from a sample of 3,000 records, omitting 24 inland records that carry an institution's coordinates rather than a collection site; it shows where the species has been observed and reported, not a modelled range.

Most records by country or area: French Polynesia (1,293); New Caledonia (699); Australia (599); Wallis and Futuna (557); Palau (236).

The full country table, WoRMS marine regions and the sampling notes are on this species' Distribution page.

Source: GBIF Occurrence Search (taxonKey 5188185) — https://www.gbif.org/occurrence/search?taxon_key=5188185&has_coordinate=true (records CC0 / CC BY); WoRMS distribution records (MarineRegions) — https://www.marinespecies.org/aphia.php?p=taxdetails&id=210768 (CC BY 4.0); Natural Earth 110m basemap — https://www.naturalearthdata.com/ (public domain). Accessed 2026-09-25.

Conservation status (IUCN Red List)

The IUCN Red List assesses Bohadschia argus (Jaeger, 1833) as Least Concern (code LC). No trend, population estimate or threat analysis is given here, because none is available from this source without the Red List API; follow the source link for the full assessment, including its date.

Source: IUCN Red List of Threatened Species (taxon 180541) — https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/180541/0; GBIF IUCN Red List category endpoint (taxonKey 5188185) — https://api.gbif.org/v1/species/5188185/iucnRedListCategory. Accessed 2026-09-25.

Description and natural history (Wikipedia)

Bohadschia argus has the same roughly cylindrical body plan shared by most sea cucumbers. On average, it measures approximately 36 cm in length and 1.8 to 2.2 kg in weight, with a maximum recorded length of 60 cm.

Its tough outer body wall, around 10 mm in thickness, is firm and leathery to the touch. Its dorsal side is greyish-brown in coloration, and covered in numerous yellow eyespots, similar to those of its vernacular namesake. The underside is usually paler in coloration, although some specimens remain uniformly brown throughout.

There are several rows of tube feet on the underside, which it uses for locomotion. Surrounding the mouth at the anterior end is a ring of paddle-shaped, black feeding tentacles with white fringes. The anus, at the posterior end, has Cuvierian tubules situated at its base, which are readily ejected as sticky threads if the animal is disturbed or handled. These contain toxins which deter predators and are irritating to human skin.

Bohadschia argus appears to be able to hybridize with Bohadschia vitiensis.

Distribution and habitat

Bohadschia argus inhabits shallow tropical waters throughout the eastern Indian Ocean and the western Pacific. It is commonly found in and around coral reefs on exposed, sandy areas of the seabed, typically at depths of 2 to 10 m below the surface.

Ecology and behavior

Bohadschia argus is an detritivore. As it moves across the seabed, it sweeps sand grains and detritus into its mouth using its sticky tentacles. It obtains some nourishment from the biofilm that coats the grains.

Symbiotic relationships

Pearlfish of the species Carapus mourlani (star pearlfish) and Encheliophis boraborensis (pinhead pearlfish) are sometimes found living in the coelomic cavity of Bohadschia argus, typically entering head-first through the sea cucumber's anus. In a study in the Banda Islands in the South Moluccan Sea, a group of 15 star pearlfish were found living within the body cavity of a single Bohadschia argus. Carapus mourlani, which have a mutualistic relationship with Bohadschia argus, will aggressively defend their sea cucumber from the parasitic Encheliophis boraborensis, and in some cases may even fight them to the death.

The emperor shrimp (Zenopontonia rex) is often associated with Bohadschia argus, and may help keep it clear of ectoparasites.

Uses

A new triterpene glycoside, Arguside A, has been extracted from the tissues of Bohadschia argus. This compound appears to exhibit cytotoxicity against several different types of human tumor cells.

Source: Wikipedia: Bohadschia argus — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bohadschia_argus (CC BY-SA 4.0). Accessed 2026-09-25.