Royale cucumber (Parastichopus regalis)

Classification (WoRMS)

Full classification as recorded by WoRMS: Kingdom: Animalia · Phylum: Echinodermata · Class: Holothuroidea · Order: Synallactida · Family: Stichopodidae · Genus: Parastichopus.

Accepted name: Parastichopus regalis · Authority: (Cuvier, 1817) · Taxonomic status: accepted · AphiaID: 149898.

Synonyms and superseded combinations recorded for this taxon: Eostichopus regalis (Cuvier, 1817); Gastrothuria limbata R. Perrier, 1899; Holothuria columnae Cuvier, 1817; Holothuria limbata Perrier R., 1898; Holothuria regale Cuvier, 1817; Holothuria triquetra Delle Chiaje, 1828; Pudendum regale Cuvier, 1817; Stichopus regalis (Cuvier, 1817).

Source: World Register of Marine Species (WoRMS) — https://www.marinespecies.org/aphia.php?p=taxdetails&id=149898 (CC BY 4.0). Accessed 2026-09-23.

Biology and life history (SeaLifeBase)

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

Maximum length: 35 cm · Depth range: 5–800 m · Habitat zone: benthic · Vulnerability index: 25 of 100 · Fishery importance: commercial.

SeaLifeBase notes: Maximum size: 35 cm (Ref. 366); 30 cm (Ref. 358). Methods: Captured by dredgers and trawls, this species is used in some countries of the zone (France, Spain where it is very appreciated in Catalonia). One needs additional information on the mode of Net use carrying of large papillae and separating the faces dorsal and ventral (Ref. 366). Abundant in the continental shelf (Refs. 93433, 122969); also found in the continental slope (Ref. 93433). Lives on rubble (Ref. 111335). Recorded from the upper sublittoral zone of Sidi Medjdoub, Mostaganem, Algeria. Abundant in depths of 150 to 200m with a constant water temperature of 13°C (Ref. 128655).

Source: SeaLifeBase species summary (SpecCode 49463) — https://www.sealifebase.se/summary/Parastichopus-regalis.html (CC BY-NC 3.0 — non-commercial use only). Accessed 2026-09-23.

Distribution and occurrence records (GBIF)

1,214 georeferenced occurrence records for Parastichopus regalis are published through GBIF from 27 countries or marine areas. The map above plots 121 distinct locations from a sample of 1,214 records, omitting 19 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: Spain (588); Portugal (469); Italy (26); France (24); Angola (22).

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

Source: GBIF Occurrence Search (taxonKey 4343270) — https://www.gbif.org/occurrence/search?taxon_key=4343270&has_coordinate=true (records CC0 / CC BY); WoRMS distribution records (MarineRegions) — https://www.marinespecies.org/aphia.php?p=taxdetails&id=149898 (CC BY 4.0); Natural Earth 110m basemap — https://www.naturalearthdata.com/ (public domain). Accessed 2026-09-23.

Conservation status (IUCN Red List)

The IUCN Red List assesses Parastichopus regalis (Cuvier, 1817) 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 180298) — https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/180298/0; GBIF IUCN Red List category endpoint (taxonKey 4343270) — https://api.gbif.org/v1/species/4343270/iucnRedListCategory. Accessed 2026-09-23.

Description and natural history (Wikipedia)

Parastichopus regalis grows to a length of about 20 cm. The body is soft and somewhat flattened, and a clearly incised lateral fold with large papillae separates the dorsal surface from the ventral surface. The dorsal surface is mottled brown, and the ventral surface is rather paler, with a darker longitudinal streak in the centre. The bony sclerites that strengthen the integument include tables, terminal plates and perforated plates; the sclerites in the tentacles that surround the mouth include elongated, branched, perforated and arched rods.

Parastichopus regalis is found in the Mediterranean Sea, along the coasts of Africa in the eastern Atlantic Ocean, and in the tropical and subtropical western Atlantic Ocean, including the Gulf of Mexico. It is typically found on sand or other soft substrates, at depths down to about 800 m; it is commonest in the 100 to 300 m depth range.

In a commensal arrangement, Parastichopus regalis is often host to the pearlfish Carapus acus, which enters the sea cucumber's respiratory tree via its anus. The fish lives inside the sea cucumber during the day, emerging into the open water at night to feed. Two fish may occupy a single host, and a pair have been known to breed inside their host. When stressed, it autotomises its internal organs, regenerating them again later.

This sea cucumber is a common species. It is edible and is eaten in parts of its range but is not a targeted species, being caught as bycatch during deepwater trawling.

Source: Wikipedia: Parastichopus regalis — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Parastichopus_regalis (CC BY-SA 4.0). Accessed 2026-09-23.