Guide Identification Concombres de Mer 2022 en

IDENTIFICATION GUIDE
Commercial Sea Cucumbers
Marie Di Simone, Arnaud Horellou,

Frédéric Ducarme and Chantal Conand
October 2022
PATRINAT
Centre d’expertise et de données sur
le patrimoine naturel
A joint service of the Office français de la biodiversité,

the Centre national de la recherche scientifique and the
Muséum national d’Histoire naturelle
Visit the INPN website: https://inpn.mnhn.fr/
Cover photo: Holothuria nobilis (Selenka, 1867) – © Philippe Bourjon
Project Name: Identification guide – Commercialised Sea Cucumbers
Project Managers: Marie Di Simone, Arnaud Horellou

Proofreading: Jessica Thévenot
1
Table of contents
Acknowledgements ........................................................................................................... 5
General Remarks on Sea Cucumbers ............................................................................ 10
External Morphology......................................................................................................... 10
Ossicles................................................................................................................................ 12
Habitat ................................................................................................................................ 12
Different orders of sea cucumbers ................................................................................. 12
Classification of the commercialised species included in this book ......................... 21
How to use this guide? ..................................................................................................... 23
Symbols Glossary ............................................................................................................... 26
Challenges in Identification ............................................................................................. 27
What are the key pages for? .......................................................................................... 28
Different Types of Incisions ............................................................................................... 29
GENERAL TABLE OF COMMERCIALISED SPECIES, LIVE AND DRY ................................. 30
SECTION 1: Protuberances ............................................................................................... 31
SECTION 2: Lack of protuberances ................................................................................. 32
SECTION 3: Dry form .......................................................................................................... 33
IDENTIFICATION KEY FOR THE LIVE FORM ........................................................................ 34
IDENTIFICATION KEY FOR THE DRY FORM ........................................................................ 78
Species Cards .................................................................................................................. 100
Holothuriida: Holothuriidae ............................................................................................ 100
Actinopyga echinites ................................................................................................... 101
Actinopyga lecanora .................................................................................................. 102
Actinopyga mauritiana ............................................................................................... 104
Actinopyga miliaris ....................................................................................................... 106
Actinopyga palauensis ................................................................................................ 108
Actinopyga spinea ....................................................................................................... 110
Actinopyga flammea .................................................................................................. 112
Bohadschia argus ......................................................................................................... 114
Bohadschia atra ........................................................................................................... 116
Bohadschia marmorata .............................................................................................. 118
Bohadschia vitiensis...................................................................................................... 122
Pearsonothuria graeffei ............................................................................................... 124
Holothuria arenicola..................................................................................................... 126
2
Holothuria atra .............................................................................................................. 128
Holothuria cinerascens ................................................................................................ 130
Holothuria coluber ........................................................................................................ 132
Holothuria edulis ........................................................................................................... 134
Holothuria flavomaculata ........................................................................................... 136
Holothuria fuscocinerea .............................................................................................. 138
Holothuria fuscogilva ................................................................................................... 140
Holothuria fuscopunctata ........................................................................................... 142
Holothuria hilla............................................................................................................... 144
Holothuria impatiens .................................................................................................... 146
Holothuria kefersteinii ................................................................................................... 148
Holothuria lessoni .......................................................................................................... 150
Holothuria leucospilota ................................................................................................ 152
Holothuria mexicana.................................................................................................... 154
Holothuria nobilis ........................................................................................................... 156
Holothuria notabilis ....................................................................................................... 158
Holothuria sp.................................................................................................................. 160
Holothuria pardalis ....................................................................................................... 162
Holothuria pervicax ...................................................................................................... 164
Holothuria scabra ......................................................................................................... 166
Holothuria spinifera ....................................................................................................... 168
Holothuria whitmaei ..................................................................................................... 170
Synallactida: Stichopodidae....................................................................................... 172
Apostichopus californicus ........................................................................................... 173
Apostichopus japonicus .............................................................................................. 175
Apostichopus parvimensis ........................................................................................... 177
Astichopus multifidus .................................................................................................... 179
Astichopus multifidus .................................................................................................... 180
Australostichopus mollis ............................................................................................... 181
Isostichopus badionotus .............................................................................................. 183
Isostichopus fuscus........................................................................................................ 185
Stichopus chloronotus .................................................................................................. 187
Stichopus herrmanni..................................................................................................... 189
Stichopus horrens .......................................................................................................... 191
Stichopus monotuberculatus ...................................................................................... 192
Stichopus naso .............................................................................................................. 194
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Stichopus ocellatus....................................................................................................... 196
Stichopus pseudohorrens ............................................................................................ 198
Stichopus vastus ............................................................................................................ 200
Thelenota ananas ........................................................................................................ 202
Thelenota anax ............................................................................................................. 204
Thelenota rubralineata ................................................................................................ 206
Dendrochirotida: Cucumariidae ................................................................................ 208
Athyonidium chilensis ................................................................................................... 209
Cucumaria frondosa frondosa ................................................................................... 212
Cucumaria frondosa japonica ................................................................................... 214
References ....................................................................................................................... 216
Glossary ............................................................................................................................ 219
Appendices ..................................................................................................................... 221
Appendix 1. The three CITES Appendices ................................................................... 222
Appendix 2. The Different Types of Ossicles in Sea Cucumbers ............................... 223
Appendix 3. Identification key for the three CITES-listed species of sea cucumbers
........................................................................................................................................... 224
Photo credits: DORIS https://doris.ffessm.fr/; FAO; Institut de recherche pour le

développement (IRD) – Lagplon – DOI GBIF: 10.15468/wafmud; IH-SM-WIOMSA;
NOAA/MBARI; Anders Poulsen; Anne Prouzet; Beni Giraspi; Benjamin Guichard; Chami
Dissanayake; Chantal Conand; Chita Guisado; Claudio Maureira; Daniel Baskar James;
David Raven; David Rolla; Éric Aubry; Francisco Solis-Marin; François Michonneau; Frédéric
Ducarme; Georgina Robinson; Hampus Eriksson; Icolmer; J. Zounes; Jan Haaga; Jean-
Michel Sutour; John Cassell; Juan Miguel Cancino; Jun Akamine; Kuroshio; L. Zamora; L.B.
Concepcion; Magali Honey-Escandon; Marique; N. Samanyan; Nick Hobgood; Peter
Southwood; Philippe Bourjon; Ravinesh Ram; Ria Tan; Riaz Aumeeruddy; Steven Purcell;
Véronique Lamare; Vincent Maran; Yves Herraud.
Illustration credits: spicules and distribution maps: Food and Agriculture Organization of the
United Nations, Original Scientific Illustrations Archive; keys, clip art and icons: Arnaud
Horellou/Patrinat.
Creative Commons licenses:

CC BY SA 2.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0/fr/;
CC BY SA 3.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/fr/;
CC BY NC https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/2.0/fr/;
CC BY https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/fr/;
CC BY NC SA https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/3.0/fr/
4
Acknowledgements
The authors would like to thank all of the people whose support and valuable
contributions allowed us to develop this guide.
This document was made possible thanks to funding provided by PatriNat.
Special thanks to the FAO and Kim Friedman for collaborating with us, and for allowing
us to use the guide "Commercially important sea cucumbers of the world" as support;
without it, this guide could not have existed.
We would also like to thank the participative website DORIS, which provided valuable
information on the species, and Alain-Pierre Sittler, who served as intermediary
between us and the owners of the photographs so we could use their images.
We thank the IRD and Sylvie Fiat for authorizing the use of the photos.
We also want to express our gratitude to all the contributors who provided us with
incredible photos of the species, Steven Purcell, Jean-Michel Sutour, Benjamin
Guichard, Jeff Kinch, Aymeric Desurmont, Philippe Bourjon, Frédéric Ducarme and all
the other photographers who gave us permission to use their images in this guide:
DORIS https://doris.ffessm.fr/; FAO; Institut de recherche pour le développement (IRD)
– Lagplon – DOI GBIF: 10.15468/wafmud; IH-SM-WIOMSA; NOAA/MBARI; Anders
Poulsen; Anne Prouzet; Beni Giraspi; Benjamin Guichard; Chami Dissanayake; Chantal
Conand; Chita Guisado; Claudio Maureira; Daniel Baskar James; David Raven; David
Rolla; Éric Aubry; Francisco Solis-Marin; François Michonneau; Frédéric Ducarme;
Georgina Robinson; Hampus Eriksson; Icolmer; J. Zounes; Jan Haaga; Jean-Michel
Sutour; John Cassell; Juan Miguel Cancino; Jun Akamine; Kuroshio; L. Zamora; L.B.
Concepcion; Magali Honey-Escandon; Marique; N. Samanyan; Nick Hobgood; Peter
Southwood; Philippe Bourjon; Ravinesh Ram; Ria Tan; Riaz Aumeeruddy; Steven
Purcell; Véronique Lamare; Vincent Maran; Yves Herraud.
5
Introduction
CITES
The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna

and Flora (CITES), also known as the Washington Convention, is an international
agreement that aims to ensure that international trade in specimens1 of wild
animals and plants listed in its appendices (Appendix 1) is carried out in a
sustainable manner and does not threaten the survival of the specimens.
To this end, each State Party legally implements in its territory the provisions
prescribed by the Convention, and controls the legality of any international
transaction of endangered species, by issuing export permits and verifying
import permits.
The competent control authorities, within the framework of their missions, may
require the support of scientific experts to assess the controlled specimens so
as to solidify their procedures.
Sea Cucumber Trade
Holothuria, commonly known as sea cucumbers, are traded in more than 70

countries around the world. They are harvested throughout the tropics, polar
regions and temperate zones. When processed—cooked and/or dried—they
are referred to as "bêche de mer" * or "trepang"*.
Sea cucumbers have been harvested and consumed by the Malay and
Chinese populations for more than a thousand years, first in the Pacific
countries, then gradually expanding their search. In the 18th century, other
fishermen—Macassar from Sulawesi, European, Australian and American
traders—began searching for sea cucumbers to exchange them in Manila and
Canton for tea, silk and spices. Thanks to the Hong Kong market, it has been
possible to track fluctuations in imports and re-exports of bêche-de-mer from
the beginning of the 20th century. We were able to identify a clear increase in
imports since the 1980s, which corresponds to the increase in re-exports to the
People's Republic of China. In fact, during that time, the consumption of this
product became much more widespread (Conand 1989).
1For the purposes of CITES, a specimen is any animal or plant, living or dead, and any part or
product obtained from the animal or plant
6
Introduction
The problem of sea cucumbers
In 1974, the Pacific Community (SPC) published the handbook “Bêche-de-mer

of the South Pacific Islands”—updated in 1979 and 1994—which described the
different species, processing methods and products. The Food and Agriculture
Organisation of the United Nations (FAO) published an overview of the
information available from the tropical Pacific (Conand 1986, 1990). Later
international meetings launched a number of working groups: in 2003, the FAO-
sponsored working group in Dalian (People's Republic of China) published
“Advances in sea cucumber aquaculture and management” (Lovatelli et
al. 2004); in 2007, the Galapagos (Ecuador) group presented the publication
of “Sea cucumbers: a global review of fisheries and trade” (Toral-Granda et al.
2008) and “Managing sea cucumber fisheries with an ecosystem approach”
(Purcell 2010). Finally, in 2012, the FAO coordinated a synthesis publication
"Commercially important sea cucumbers of the world" (Purcell et al. 2012). A
new edition, including more recently harvested species (Atlantic,
Mediterranean, etc.) is being developed (Lovatelli 2021).
Sea Cucumbers and CITES
In 2003, Ecuador managed to include sea cucumbers in CITES Appendix III, with
their proposal for listing their national populations of Isostichopus fuscus
(Ludwig, 1875). Following the warnings and reports of threats of international
trade presented in these publications, the CITES Secretariat organised the
"CITES workshop on the conservation of sea cucumbers in the families
Holothuriidae and Stichopodidae" in Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia) in 2004 (NOAA,
Bruckner, 2006), which resulted in three sets of recommendations: National
fisheries management, Priorities for international conservation and protection,
and Potential CITES implementation issues.
377 species of sea cucumbers were assessed in Colombia in 2010, sponsored

by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), with the aim of
establishing a red list. Seven species were listed as Endangered (EN) and
another nine as Vulnerable (VU) (UICN 2010, Conand et al. 2014, Purcell et al.
2014).
7
Introduction
It was at the eighteenth Conference of the Parties to CITES (CoP18) in Geneva,

2019, that sea cucumbers were finally included in Appendix II, with three
species of the genus Holothuria—H. nobilis (Selenka, 1867), H. whitmaei (Bell,
1887) and H. fuscogilva (Cherbonnier, 1980) known as “teatfish”—following the
proposal of the United States of America, Kenya, Senegal, Seychelles and the
European Union (Di Simone et al. 2019, 2020); still, implementation was delayed
by 12 months.
Identification Guide
The listing of sea cucumbers in CITES raises the question of how to implement
controls and encourage reporting on a species rarely regarded by non-
specialists. Sea cucumbers are mainly exported to Asia, and fisheries, traders
and customs officers must be able to identify the different species to issue CITES
permits.
This user-friendly identification guide features 562 species of sea cucumbers—

protected and not protected by CITES—which are traded worldwide for
consumption3. It has been deliberately designed to facilitate the identification
of these species, and to detect fraud.
This guide is based on the FAO's 2012 sea cucumber identification guide:
"Commercially important sea cucumbers of the world". Most of the information
on the species in the FAO guide has been included—and updated—in this
guide.
It must be noted that any guide is obsolete by the time of its publication. There
is a new proposal to list sea cucumbers—Thelenota genus—in CITES Appendix
II, as evidenced by the upcoming second edition of the FAO guide. These are
signs of a growing awareness of the danger these animals face.
2 Although the FAO guide lists 58 species, we have removed Actinopyga agassizii (Selenka,
1867), since we did not think it useful to include it as a commercial species, and Cucumaria
japonica (Brandt, 1835), now considered a subspecies of Cucumaria frondosa (Gunnerus,
1767) (WoRMS 2022a)
3 Some species of sea cucumbers can also be used in aquaristics, but since there are not many,
they are not included in this guide.
8
Introduction
This guide is therefore intended to be completed at a later stage:
 Due to the depletion of highly valuable species, the number of harvested

species is increasing, that is the exploitation of new species, in new areas,
such as Actinopyga caerulea.
 Some data is missing in this guide: photos of the dried form of some
species, morphological data, similar species, etc.
 Potentially obsolete or unreliable data needs to be updated.
9
General Remarks on Sea Cucumbers
Sea cucumbers belong to the class Holothuroidea in the phylum Echinoderms.

There are currently about 1774 species of sea cucumbers, divided into seven
orders and 30 families (WoRMS 2022b). Of these 1700 species, about 70 are
commercially exploited worldwide (Purcell et al. 2012; O’Toole & Shea 2019).
External Morphology
Sea cucumbers have an elongated body (Figure 1), characterised by ventral

surface* (trivium*) with tube feet or podia* and a dorsal surface* (bivium*) with
papillae*.
The mouth is ventral and it is surrounded by tentacles* (Figure 1). Their number
varies between 10 and 30. The shape of the tentacles varies according to the
taxonomic order and can be used as a defining trait. In the orders of
Holothuriida and Synallactida, the peltate tentacles are all the same size, but
the tentacles of Dendrochirotida, for example, can vary in size.
bivium = dorsal surface

papillae
mouth surrounded
by peltate tentacles
trivium = ventral surface
Figure 1. External anatomy of a sea cucumber (Holothuriida in this case)

(Samyn et al. 2006).
10
In Dendrochirotida, tentacles are dendritic* (branching in an arborescent

manner) and can reach a fairly large size when fully extended (Figure 2).
Holothuriida and Synallactida have (with rare exceptions) peltate* tentacles,
each with a central stalk and a little branching disc.
Sea cucumber tentacles are very retractile.
Figure 2. Different types of tentacles (Conand 1998)
Papillae can be wart-like, conical or fleshy. Podia appear on the body wall and
are usually shaped like a rod with an adhesive disc at the end (Figure 1).
Colouration varies between species and sometimes even between individuals
of the same species. The ventral surface is often lighter in colour than the dorsal
surface.
The morphological classification of sea cucumbers is based on the presence

and/or shape of certain soft parts, including podia and oral tentacles (Figure
1). They help to determine their larger order (Samyn et al. 2006).
11
Ossicles
Also called spicules, ossicles are characteristic of sea cucumbers and of

primary importance for identification. They are mostly microscopic in size. They
come in a wide variety of shapes, from simple to complex (Appendix 2). The
shape of the spicules differs from species to species and can be used to identify
commercial species.
Habitat
Holothurians are found across all oceans and seas, at all latitudes. Adults are
benthic—living on the sea bottom. Some species live on hard substrates, rocks,
coral reefs; however, most of the species inhabit soft bottoms, on the sediment
surface or buried in the sediment. Among the commercial coastal holothurians,
the Holothuriida and Synallactida are predominant in the tropics, while the
Dendrochirotida are more common in temperate regions.
Different orders of sea cucumbers
Sea cucumbers are divided into seven orders, three of which are impacted by
trade (Figure 3). Only the five main orders will be included in this guide. Orders
that are not involved in trade will not be discussed.
12
Figure 3. Orders and families of sea cucumbers involved in the trade.
13
Holothuriida (formerly Aspidochirotida)
10 to 30 peltate
oral tentacles Slightly elongated shape
(sausage-shaped)
Thick and
muscular body
wall*
Podia forms a well-defined

carpet on the ventral © F. Michonneau - licensed CC-BY
surface
NB: Some species of this order present Cuvierian tubules* and/or

anal teeth*
14
Synallactida
Massive sea cucumbers, often

20 short peltate oral with an angular cross-section
tentacles, well
protected by a thick
body wall © F. Michonneau - licensed CC-BY
Ventral mouth and

anus terminal
Numerous podia Thick body wall,

aligned in three often covered with
somewhat distinct papillae and other
rows protuberances
15
Dendrochirotida
© J. Haaga
10 to 30 arborescent oral
tentacles (often the only
Podia often very visible part of the animal,
noticeable and sharply when the body is hidden)
delineated on the radii
Slightly elongated shape

(sausage-shaped)
16
Persiculida
Presence of a
posterior groove
© NOAA
No dermal spicules
17
Apodida
Thin tegument
© F. Michonneau - licensed CC-BY
Elongated body (worm

or serpent-like)
No podia
10 to 25 digitate and
pinnate oral tentacles
18
Elasipodida
Translucent body
© NOAA/MBARI
Peculiar appendages
(fins, "legs", etc.)
NB: All species in this order are abyssal.
19
Molpadida
Cylindrical body
© R. Tan – licensed CC BY SA
No podia
15 short digitate
tentacles around
the mouth
NB: Most species of this order are found buried in muddy habitats,
where they are almost undetectable. Some also live at great
depths.
20
Classification of the commercialised species included in
this book
Order Family Species

Holothuriida Holothuriidae Actinopyga echinites (Jaeger, 1833)
Holothuriida Holothuriidae Actinopyga lecanora (Jaeger, 1835)
Holothuriida Holothuriidae Actinopyga mauritiana (Quoy and
Gaimard, 1833)
Holothuriida Holothuriidae Actinopyga miliaris (Quoy and Gaimard,
1833)
Holothuriida Holothuriidae Actinopyga palauensis (Panning, 1944)
Holothuriida Holothuriidae Actinopyga spinea (Cherbonnier, 1980)
Holothuriida Holothuriidae Actinopyga flammea (Cherbonnier, 1979)
Holothuriida Holothuriidae Bohadschia argus (Jaeger, 1833)
Holothuriida Holothuriidae Bohadschia atra (Massin, Rasolofonirina,
Conand and Samyn, 1999)
Holothuriida Holothuriidae Bohadschia marmorata (Jaeger, 1833)
Holothuriida Holothuriidae Bohadschia subrubra (Quoy & Gaimard,
1833)
Holothuriida Holothuriidae Bohadschia vitiensis (Semper, 1868)
Holothuriida Holothuriidae Pearsonothuria graeffei (Semper, 1868)
Holothuriida Holothuriidae Holothuria arenicola (Semper, 1868)
Holothuriida Holothuriidae Holothuria atra (Jaeger, 1833)
Holothuriida Holothuriidae Holothuria cinerascens (Brandt, 1835)
Holothuriida Holothuriidae Holothuria coluber (Semper, 1868)
Holothuriida Holothuriidae Holothuria edulis (Lesson, 1830)
Holothuriida Holothuriidae Holothuria flavomaculata (Semper, 1868)
Holothuriida Holothuriidae Holothuria fuscocinerea (Jaeger, 1833)
Holothuriida Holothuriidae Holothuria fuscogilva (Cherbonnier, 1980)
Holothuriida Holothuriidae Holothuria fuscopunctata (Jaeger, 1833)
Holothuriida Holothuriidae Holothuria hilla (Lesson,1830)
Holothuriida Holothuriidae Holothuria impatiens (Forsskål, 1775)
Holothuriida Holothuriidae Holothuria kefersteinii (Selenka, 1867)
Holothuriida Holothuriidae Holothuria lessoni (Massin, Uthicke, Purcell,
Rowe and Samyn, 2009)
Holothuriida Holothuriidae Holothuria leucospilota (Brandt, 1835)
Holothuriida Holothuriidae Holothuria nobilis (Selenka, 1867)
Holothuriida Holothuriidae Holothuria notabilis (Ludwig, 1875)
Holothuriida Holothuriidae Holothuria sp. (type ‘Pentard’)
Holothuriida Holothuriidae Holothuria pardalis (Selenka, 1867)
Holothuriida Holothuriidae Holothuria pervicax (Selenka, 1867)
Holothuriida Holothuriidae Holothuria scabra (Jaeger, 1833)
Holothuriida Holothuriidae Holothuria spinifera (Théel, 1886)
21
Order Family Species
Holothuriida Holothuriidae Holothuria whitmaei (Bell, 1887)
Synallactida Stichopodidae Apostichopus californicus (Stimpson, 1857)
Synallactida Stichopodidae Apostichopus japonicus (Selenka, 1867)
Synallactida Stichopodidae Apostichopus parvimensis (Clark, 1913)
Synallactida Stichopodidae Astichopus multifidus (Sluiter, 1910)
Synallactida Stichopodidae Australostichopus mollis (Hutton 1872)
Synallactida Stichopodidae Isostichopus badionotus (Selenka, 1867)
Synallactida Stichopodidae Isostichopus fuscus (Ludwig, 1875)
Synallactida Stichopodidae Stichopus chloronotus (Brandt, 1835)
Synallactida Stichopodidae Stichopus herrmanni (Semper, 1868)
Synallactida Stichopodidae Stichopus horrens (Selenka, 1868)
Synallactida Stichopodidae Stichopus monotuberculatus (Quoy &
Gaimard, 1834)
Synallactida Stichopodidae Stichopus naso (Semper, 1868)
Synallactida Stichopodidae Stichopus ocellatus (Massin, Zulfigar, Tan
Shua Hwai and Rizal Boss, 2002)
Synallactida Stichopodidae Stichopus pseudohorrens (Cherbonnier,
1967)
Synallactida Stichopodidae Stichopus vastus (Sluiter, 1887)
Synallactida Stichopodidae Thelenota ananas (Jaeger, 1833)
Synallactida Stichopodidae Thelenota anax (Clark, 1921)
Synallactida Stichopodidae Thelenota rubralineata (Massin and Lane,
1991)
Dendrochirotida Cucumariidae Athyonidium chilensis (Semper, 1868)
Dendrochirotida Cucumariidae Cucumaria frondosa (Gunnerus, 1767)
Dendrochirotida Cucumariidae Cucumaria frondosa japonica (Semper,
1868)
22
How to use this guide?
Descriptive pages
The species are presented in a simplified identification sheet with the following
information:
 Scientific name and common name(s) of the species

 A photo of the species, alive and in its commercial form (dried)
 Morphological description/distinctive characteristics (size, weight,
colour, shape)
 The commercial value of the species
 Illustration and description of the spicules
 Geographical distribution of the species (some distribution maps are
based on personal communications, and are therefore most likely
incomplete for some regions, such as Southeast Asia, due to lack of
information).
When available, the above information for each species has been included.
Readers are encouraged to base their identifications on a combination of
morphological traits, ossicle samples from different body parts, and information
about the area where the species was found. Some species are not included
in this first guide because they are rarely harvested or harvested in small
quantities.
Juveniles* have not been sufficiently studied and will therefore not
be discussed in this guide. There is no differentiation between
females and males.
23
Scientific name, author and year Geographical distribution
Size of the species

Pictogram
indicating if the
species is CITES
Pictograms
indicating the
The commercial presence of
value of the ejectable
species cuvierian
tubules and/or
Common names
anal teeth
of the species
Main
Live form of the distinguishing
species features
Commercialised
form of the
species
Macroscopic Macroscopic
morphological morphological
features (colour, features (colour,
weight, size, weight, size,
shape) in the live shape) in the
form dried form
24
Similar species
that might be
confused with the
species in
question
Microscopic
distinguishing
features
(description of
spicules)
Illustration of
the spicules
25
Symbols Glossary
Key element for identification
Included in CITES or not?
The species is listed in CITES Appendix I, II or III: trading of

the species is regulated by CITES, the required CITES
4
permit(s) must be verified.
Commercial Value
High Medium Low
Size (live form)
Small Medium Large
(Less than or equal to 14 cm) (Between 15 and 29 cm) (Equal to or larger than 30 cm)
Special characteristics
Species that ejects its

Presence of anal teeth
cuvierian tubules
4Four species of sea cucumbers are listed under CITES: Isostichopus fuscus in Appendix III,
Holothuria fuscogilva, H. nobilis and H. whitmaei in Appendix II. The guide will serve as a support
and might include new listings in the future.
26
Challenges in Identification
There are no obvious macroscopic morphological features that distinguish the

three families of the order Holothuriida.
The identification of a species of sea cucumber must be based on a
combination of morphological characteristics (colour, shape, size, presence of
certain organs, etc.), the morphology of the spicules and information on the
area where the species was collected.
Some species are more easily identified than others, and their identification
can be based on a single morphological criterion. For example, Actinopyga
lecanora (Jaeger, 1833) can be identified solely by the white spot around its
anus.
In their natural habitat, these animals are often covered with sand/sediment,
which can hide their distinctive features. For others, such as Holothuria atra
Jaeger, 1833, the manner of covering itself with sand is in itself a distinctive
feature.
Sea cucumbers are mainly traded in dried form, which makes it more difficult
to identify the species, since processing changes their colour, shape and size
(Setyastuti & Purwati 2015; Uthicke et al. 2010; Purwati et al. 2010).
Contrary to fresh specimens, dried sea cucumbers may be in a poor state of

preservation, depending on the quality of their treatment (drying, incision to
remove the viscera). If the quality of the dried specimen is affected, it will not
match the description offered in this sheet, and identification will be even more
difficult. For example, if dried at temperatures higher than 45°C, the sea
cucumber will curl or develop a rougher surface; it may even lose its colour
(Purcell 2014) (Figure 4).
Figure 4. Examples of good

and poor-quality specimens
of Stichopus chloronotus
Key Pages
Brandt, 1835. (Source: Purcell
2014)
27
What are the key pages for?
The identification process consists of observing the characteristics of an adult

animal. The sea cucumber can be alive, fresh5 or dry.
There are two categories of key pages:
1- Key pages to identify sea cucumbers in their live form

2- Key pages to identify sea cucumbers in their dried form
The key does not systematically classify species, but rather according to their
morphological affinities. This is what sets this identification guide apart.
These reference pages are organized according to three main distinguishing
characteristics: colour, shape and the presence of protuberances* (which can
sometimes be papillae or podia). As defining characteristics, these three have
their limitations, especially colour. In fact, colour can vary within a species,
depending on its variety and location (Bohadschia subrubra (Quoy & Gaimard,
1834) for example). The same applies to the bêche-de-mer, which can be of
different colour within the same species. Other characteristics have also been
considered, such as the presence of anal teeth and wrinkles.
The key only covers commercialised species, both for the live and
dried forms. The list of commercialised species was taken from the
guide "Commercially important sea cucumbers of the world”.
(Purcell et al. 2012).
5 We will not cover the fresh form in the key pages.
28
Different Types of Incisions
Before drying the specimen, an incision is made to remove the viscera.

Depending on the species, the incision, normally a straight line, is not made in
the same way (Purcell 2014) and therefore could be a defining feature.
However, since the incision could be made in the wrong place, it may not
resemble the species-specific incision. This feature has therefore not been
included in the identification key for the dried forms.
Holothuria whitmaei,
An incision on the dorsal
H. nobilis,
surface (stopping 3-5cm
H. fuscogilva
from the mouth and anus)
Holothuria sp. (type Pentard)
Two separate incisions

on the ventral surface of Holothuria coluber
the animal
A long incision on the ventral Thelenota ananas,

surface (stopping at least 5cm T. anax
from the mouth and anus) Holothuria fuscopunctata
Actinopyga lecanora
A very small incision near the

anus or no incision at all—the Actinopyga miliaris
animal is simply squeezed to A. lecanora
remove its viscera
Small incision (3-5cm) on the

ventral surface at the level of the Other sea
anus or mouth (but not at both cucumbers
ends)
29
GENERAL TABLE OF COMMERCIALISED SPECIES, LIVE AND DRY
YES SECTION 1
Live form Presence of protuberances
NO SECTION 2
Dry form SECTION 3
Caption
Level 1
Level 2
Level 3
Level 4
Level 5
Level 6
Level 7
Level 8
Star-shaped protuberances SECTION 1: Protuberances
1 species 53 species
Thelenota ananas
Spine-like protuberances
“Teat-like”protuberances Multicoloured back
Single-coloured back
10 species
26 species
Brown to reddish Solid skin with Striped/marbled
Black to grey With spots
different coloured red and yellow
Solid black With white spots spines
1 species 3 species Thelenota rubralineata
Holothuria whitmaei Holothuria nobilis Cylindrical body or Body No anal teeth 5 anal teeth Blue or grey spines, Yellow/orange Dark species Light-coloured species
H. fuscogilva flattened ventrally quadrangular and bumpy Actinopyga miliaris 5 anal teeth spines, no anal teeth Holothuria cinerascens
H. sp. “pentard” Apostichopus californicus Stichopus naso A. spinea
Actinopyga flammea H. kefersteinii
Astichopus japonicus
“Hairy” appearance Apostichopus parvimensis
Australostichopus mollis Cylindrical body Quadrangular body Cylindrical body or Quadrangular body Elongated Large body
3 species
Holothuria coluber Stichopus pseudohorrens flattened ventrally Stichopus pseudohorrens
H.leucospilota
Black, 5 anal teeth Light-coloured, no anal
1 species teeth Elongated or thread-like body Large body Symmetrical spots Asymmetrical spots Frontal mouth, as
Small, circular
Actinopyga miliaris 2 species Apostichopus californicus Holothuria impatiens wide as the body
Holothuria hilla Holothuria pardalis ventral mouth
H. flavomaculata Apostichopus japonicus Pearsonothuria graeffei
Holothuria cinerascens
Hairy appearance only on Hairy appearance
Quadrangular body Cylindrical body or
the ventral surface dorsally and ventrally
Stichopus naso flattened ventrally
Holothuria pervicax Astichopus multifidus
S. pseudohorrens Australostichopus mollis
Large irregular wrinkles (like an elephant’s trunk)

Wart-like protuberances
Smooth or reticulated skin
19 species
Smooth skin Reticulated skin

Warts of indistinct colour Very light-coloured warts Cerebral ridges
Actinopyga mauritiana
Stichopus ocellatus (Like a brain)
Stichopus vastus
Cylindrical body or flattened ventrally Quadrangular body Single-coloured Solid skin, different With spots
Isostichopus badionotus Stichopus herrmanni coloured warts/papillae
Holothuria mexicana S. vastus
Cylindrical body or Pentagonal body Cylindrical body or Quadrangular body No hairy Edges and ventral areas with
flattened ventrally Cucumaria frondosa flattened ventrally Stichopus chloronotus appearance on thin podia, giving it a hairy
Isostichopus fuscus Isostichopus fuscus S. herrmanni ventral surface appearance
I. badionotus Holothuria pervicax
5 anal teeth No anal teeth
Cylindrical body or Quadrangular body

flattened ventrally Thelenota anax
H. fuscocinerea Stichopus horrens
S. monotuberculatus
SECTION 2: Lack of protuberances
25 species
Smooth (apart from contraction folds and granulation)

Uneven wrinkles (like an elephant's
21 species
trunk) or bumps
4 species Multicolour (spots, contrasting belly and back, etc.)
Mostly solid dark colours (black to dark brown)
Elongated Large body With spots White tip (anus) Back is darker than the Marbled/mottled
body Athyonidium chilensis 11 species Actinopyga lecanora belly, without spots Actinopyga echinites
Holothuria atra Actinopyga palauensis 3 species (Pacific Ocean)
Large wrinkles on Irregular bumps
black surface Holothuria lessoni
(zebra stripes) 2 species (Black variant)
2 species No anal teeth 5 anal teeth 5 anal teeth No anal teeth
Holothuria scabra Actinopyga mauritiana
H. fuscopunctata (Pacific variant)
Cerebral ridges (like a brain) Irregularly shaped grains, Rows of darker Brown speckled with Large, brown to Elongated and smooth
Nebulous spots Ocellated 2 rows of darker Dark speckled with
Bicoloured, finely marbled separated by light spots; spots lighter spots beige (purplish pink to creamy
Holothuria lessoni spots lighter spots
or striped; no anal teeth 5 anal teeth brown)
(spotted variant) Holothuria arenicola Athyonidium chilensis Actinopyga echinites Actinopyga marutiana Holothuria lessoni
Stichopus vastus Actinopyga mauritiana (beige form) Holothuria edulis
Bohadschia marmorata H. notabilis (Indian Ocean) (Pacific Ocean)
H. spinifera
B. subrubra
B. vitiensis
Black back and belly White belly, white or

Bohadschia atra brown back
Bohadschia argus
SECTION 3: Dry form
Bumpy appearance
very grainy texture
Some species do not appear in the key, due to lack Holothuria fuscocinerea Light-coloured
of information: H. arenicola < 7 cm
Smooth
Little or no spots Holothuria edulis
Holothuria notabilis Thread-like bodies H. leucospilota
Holothuria pardalis < 7 cm
9 species Dark colour
Holothuria pervicax < 7 cm Regular, rather smooth or
Stichopus pseudohorrens wrinkled surface
8 species With transverse wrinkles
Black with white spots Actinopyga spinea
Holothuria coluber Holothuria atra
H. flavomaculata Pearsonothuria graeffei
Large
Star-shaped protuberances 46 species
1 species
Thelenota ananas No noticeable protuberances
25 species
5 rows of light-coloured
papillae
Cucumaria frondosa Simple protuberances (warts/spines) Lateral teats + large dorsal incision + Well-marked
13 species 5 anal teeth longitudinal dark lines +
4 species extended tentacles
Holothuria cinerascens < 7 cm
Numerous tightly packed Large lateral spines + Irregular warts White teats and grey back Teats of indistinct colour Solid colours or very faint Well contrasted spots
spines dorsal warts spots
Isostichopus badionotus
Light spines Dark spines Greyish-brown From greyish- Grey with light- Solid grey Dark Transverse Smooth Smooth
Light Transverse
with light- brown to black coloured spots H. nobilis wrinkle
Stichopus chloronotus H. fuscogilva H. whitmaei Bohadschia subrubra wrinkle
coloured spots Holothuria sp. ‘pentard’ B. marmorata
Australostichopus mollis
5 anal teeth No anal teeth With transverse wrinkles Smooth No anal teeth 5 anal teeth No anal teeth 5 anal teeth 5 anal teeth No anal teeth
Actinopyga flammea Astichopus japonicus Stichopus horrens Thelenota rubralineata Apostichopus parvimensis A. lecanora Holothuria mexicana
Stichopus herrmanni Actinopyga echinites Actinopyga mauritiana
S. naso Isostichopus fuscus < 7 cm Astichopus multifidus A. miliaris H. scabra
S. ocellatus A. palauensis
S. ocellatus Apostichopus californicus Athyonidium chilensis
Holothuria kefersteinii Actinopyga spinea
S. vastus Stichopus monotuberculatus Bohadschia argus
H. fuscopunctata
H. impatiens < 7 cm B. atra
H. mexicana B. vitiensis
H. scabra Thelenota anax
Holothuria hilla < 7 cm
H.lessoni
IDENTIFICATION KEY FOR THE LIVE FORM
1 PROTUBERANCES
Presence of protuberances (spines, warts, teats, etc.)
Lack of protuberance (smooth, wrinkled, folded or granular skin)
30
2 TYPES OF PROTUBERANCES
Star-shaped protuberances
Thelenota ananas
© L. Low - licensed CC-BY
“Teat-like”protuberances © F. Ducarme
© A. Prouzet - DORIS
“Hairy” appearance
4
2 TYPES OF PROTUBERANCES
Spine-like protuberances © F. Michonneau - licensed CC-BY
Wart-like protuberances © F. Michonneau - licensed CC-BY
(sometimes a pointy podium grows out of the

wart)
© F. Ducarme
20
3 “TEAT-LIKE” PROTUBERANCES
Solid black
Holothuria whitmaei
© S.W. Purcell
With white spots © F. Ducarme
Holothuria nobilis
Holothuria fuscogilva
Holothuria sp. “pentard”
H. nobilis H. sp. « pentard » H. fuscogilva

4 “HAIRY” APPEARANCE
Black, 5 anal teeth
Actinopyga miliaris
© F. Ducarme
Light-coloured, no anal teeth
5
5 “HAIRY” APPEARANCE
Hairy appearance only on the ventral

surface
Holothuria pervicax
© P. Bourjon- DORIS
Hairy appearance on the ventral and © A. Prouzet - DORIS
dorsal surfaces
Astichopus multifidus
6 SPINY PROTUBERANCES
Single-coloured back © P. Bourjon
Multicoloured back © F. Michonneau - licensed CC-BY

(stripes, spots, stripes, marbling, etc.)
11
7 SPINY PROTUBERANCES: SINGLE-COLOURED BACK
Black to grey © P. Bourjon
Brown to reddish © S.W. Purcell
10
8 SPINY PROTUBERANCES: SOLID BLACK OR GRAY BACK
5 anal teeth
Actinopyga miliaris
Actinopyga spinea
© F. Ducarme
No anal teeth © P. Bourjon
9
9 SPINY PROTUBERANCES: SOLID BLACK OR GRAY BACK
Cylindrical body © P. Bourjon
Holothuria coluber
Holothuria leucospilota
Quadrangular body © F. Ducarme
Stichopus pseudohorrens
10 SPINY PROTUBERANCES: SOLID BROWN TO REDDISH BACK
Cylindrical body or flattened ventrally © D. Raven – licensed CC BY NC
Apostichopus californicus
Apostichopus parvimensis
Quadrangular body © IRD - Lagplon
Stichopus naso
11 SPINY PROTUBERANCES: MULTICOLOURED
Red and yellow striped/marbled © F. Michonneau - licensed CC-BY
Thelenota rubralineata
Solid skin with different coloured spines © IRD - Lagplon
12
With spots
15
© P. Bourjon - DORIS
12 SOLID SKIN WITH DIFFERENT COLOURED SPINES
Blue or grey spines, 5 anal teeth © IRD - Lagplon
Actinopyga flammea
Quadrangular body © IRD - Lagplon
13
13 SOLID SKIN WITH DIFFERENT COLOURED SPINES, NO ANAL TEETH
Yellow/orange spines, no anal teeth © IRD - Lagplon
Cylindrical body or flattened ventrally © P. Bourjon - DORIS
14
14 SOLID SKIN WITH DIFFERENT COLOURED SPINES, CYLINDRICAL BODY
Elongated or thread-like body © P. Bourjon - DORIS
Holothuria flavomaculata
Holothuria hilla
Large body © D. Raven – licensed CC BY NC
Apostichopus japonicus
15 SPINY PROTUBERANCES: WITH SPOTS
Dark species © P. Bourjon - DORIS
Holothuria kefersteinii
Light-coloured species © F. Ducarme
16
16 SPINY PROTUBERANCES: WITH LIGHT-COLOURED SPOTS
Elongated body © F. Michonneau - licensed CC-BY
17
Large body
18
© Icolmer - licensed CC BY NC

Asymmetrical spots
Holothuria impatiens
Symmetrical spots © P. Bourjon - DORIS
Holothuria pardalis
Frontal mouth, as wide as the body, © B. Dupont – licensed CC BY SA
bordered by spines
Pearsonothuria graeffei
Small, circular ventral mouth
19
Quadrangular body © S.W. Purcell
Stichopus naso
Cylindrical body or flattened ventrally
© Icolmer - licensed CC BY
NC
20 WARTY PROTUBERANCES
Cerebral ridges (like a brain) © A. Poulsen – licensed CC BY SA
Stichopus vastus
Large irregular wrinkles © S.W. Purcell
(like an elephant’s trunk)
21
Smooth or reticulated skin
23
© Comunidad y Biodiversidad A. C
– licensed CC BY NC
21 WARTY PROTUBERANCES: IRREGULAR WRINKLES
Very light-coloured warts © S.W. Purcell
Stichopus ocellatus
Warts of indistinct colour © F. Ducarme
22
22 WARTY PROTUBERANCES: IRREGULAR WRINKLES
Quadrangular body © F. Ducarme
Stichopus vastus
Stichopus herrmanni
Cylindrical body or flattened ventrally © J-M Sutour - DORIS
Holothuria mexicana
23 WARTY PROTUBERANCES: SMOOTH OR RETICULATED SKIN
Reticulated skin © P. Bourjon
Smooth skin
24
© Comunidad y Biodiversidad A.
C – licensed CC BY NC
24 WARTY PROTUBERANCES: SMOOTH SKIN
Single-coloured © V. Maran - DORIS
25
Solid skin, different coloured warts/papillae
26
© D. Roy - BioObs
With spots © N. Hobgood – licensed CC BY SA
27
25 WARTY PROTUBERANCES: SMOOTH, SOLID SKIN
Pentagonal body © V. Maran - DORIS
Cucumaria frondosa
Cylindrical body or flattened ventrally © A. Alcalá
Isostichopus fuscus
26 WARTY PROTUBERANCES: SMOOTH SKIN AND COLOURFUL WARTS
Cylindrical body or flattened ventrally
Isostichopus fuscus
© Comunidad y Biodiversidad
A. C – licensed CC BY NC
Quadrangular body
Stichopus chloronotus
Stichopus herrmanni
© D. Roy - BioObs
27 WARTY PROTUBERANCES: WITH SPOTS
Rims and ventral surfaces with fine podia, © P. Bourjon- DORIS
giving it a furry appearance
Holothuria pervicax
No hairy appearance on © N. Hobgood – licensed CC BY SA
ventral surface
28
28 WARTY PROTUBERANCES: WITH SPOTS AND “NON-HAIRY”
5 anal teeth
© B. Guichard - DORIS
No anal teeth © N. Hobgood – licensed CC BY SA
29
29 WARTY PROTUBERANCES: WITH SPOTS AND WITHOUT ANAL TEETH
Cylindrical body or flattened ventrally © P. Bourjon- DORIS
Holothuria fuscocinera
Quadrangular body
Thelenota anax
Stichopus horrens
Stichopus monotuberculatus
© N. Hobgood – licensed CC BY SA
30 NO PROTUBERANCES
Uneven wrinkles (like an elephant's © IRD – Lagplon
trunk) or bumps
31
Smooth (apart from contraction © S.W. Purcell

folds and granulation)
33
31 WRINKLED OR BUMPY
Large wrinkles on black surface © IRD – Lagplon
(zebra stripes)
Holothuria fuscopunctata
Holothuria scabra
Irregular bumps © B. Guichard - DORIS
32
32 IRREGULAR BUMPS
Cerebral ridges (like a brain) © T. Munyard – licensed CC BY NC
Bicoloured, finely marbled or striped;

No anal teeth
Stichopus vastus
Ill-defined bumps, © B. Guichard - DORIS
separated by light-coloured spots;

5 anal teeth
33 SMOOTH
Mostly solid dark colours (black to dark brown) © D. Rolla – licensed CC BY NC
34
Multicolour (spots, contrasting belly and back, etc.) © S.W. Purcell
35
© V. Lamare- DORIS
© V. Lamare - DORIS
34 DARK SINGLED-COLOURED DORSAL AND VENTRAL SURFACES
© D. Rolla – licensed CC BY NC
Elongated
Holothuria atra
Large
Athyonidium chilensis
Actinopyga palauensis
Holothuria lessoni
(Black variant)
© S.W. Purcell
35 MULTICOLOURED
White tip (anus) © IRD - Lagplon
Actinopyga lecanora
Marbled/mottled © F. Michonneau - licensed CC-

BY
Actinopyga echinites
(Pacific Ocean variant)
Back is darker than the belly, without spots
36
© V. Lamare- DORIS
With spots
38
36 BACK DARKER THAN BELLY
5 anal teeth © P. Bourjon
(Pacific form)
No anal teeth © S.W. Purcell
37
37 BACK DARKER THAN BELLY, NO ANAL TEETH
Elongated and smooth (purplish pink to
brown)
© V. Lamare- DORIS
Holothuria edulis
Large, brown to beige © S.W. Purcell
Holothuria lessoni
(beige variant)
Holothuria spinifera
38 WITH SPOTS
5 anal teeth
39
No anal teeth © S.W. Purcell
40
39 WITH SPOTS AND ANAL TEETH
Brown speckled with lighter spots © P. Chen licensed CC BY SA
(Pacific form)
Rows of darker spots
(Indian Ocean variant)
40 WITH SPOTS, NO ANAL TEETH
Dark speckled with lighter spots
© C. Maureira - licensed by CC BY NC SA
Nebulous spots © S.W. Purcell

Bohadschia marmorata
Bohadschia subrubra
Bohadschia vitiensis
Holothuria lessoni (spotted variant)
2 rows of darker spots

Holothuria arenicola
Holothuria notabilis
Ocellated
41
41 OCELLATED SPOTS
Black back and belly © F. Ducarme - DORIS
Bohadschia atra
White belly, white or brown back © V. Lamare - DORIS
Bohadschia argus
IDENTIFICATION KEY FOR THE DRY FORM
1 SHAPE
Thread-like bodies
2
Length/width > 6
Large
6
Length/width < 6
Some species do not appear in the key, due to

lack of information:
Holothuria pardalis < 7 cm
Holothuria pervicax < 7 cm
2 THREAD-LIKE SPECIES
Bumpy appearance
very grainy texture
Holothuria fuscocinerea
© J. Akamine - FAO
Regular, rather smooth or

wrinkled surface
© S.W. Purcell
3 THREAD-LIKE SHAPES: REGULAR APPEARANCE
Black with white spots
Holothuria coluber
© J. Akamine - FAO
Little or no spots
© S.W. Purcell
4 THREAD-LIKE SHAPES: LITTLE TO NO SPOTS
Light-coloured
Holothuria arenicola < 7 cm
© S.W. Purcell
Very dark colour
© S.W. Purcell
5 THREAD-LIKE SHAPES: LITTLE TO NO SPOTS
With transverse wrinkles
Actinopyga spinea
Holothuria atra
© S.W. Purcell
Smooth
Holothuria edulis
© S.W. Purcell
6 LARGE (1)
Star-shaped protuberances
Thelenota ananas
© J. Akamine - FAO
5 rows of light-coloured
papillae
2
1 3 Cucumaria frondosa
5 4
© J. Akamine - FAO
6 LARGE (2)
Simple protuberances
(warts/spines)
© S.W. Purcell
Lateral teats + big dorsal cut
12
© C. Conand
No noticeable protuberances
15
© C. Conand
7 PRESENCE OF PROTUBERANCES
Large lateral spines + dorsal warts

© S.W. Purcell
Numerous tightly packed spines
© S.W. Purcell
© C. Dissanayake - FAO
Irregular warts
10
8 NUMEROUS SPINES
Dark spines
© S.W. Purcell
Light spines
© S.W. Purcell
9 NUMEROUS LIGHT-COLOURED SPINES
5 anal teeth
Actinopyga flammea
© S.W. Purcell
No anal teeth
© https://g-hokko.co.jp/en/
10 WARTS
Greyish-brown with light-

coloured spots
© L. Zamora - FAO
From greyish-brown to black, vaguely © C. Dissanayake - FAO
spotted
11
11 WARTS
Stichopus horrens
Stichopus naso
Stichopus vastus
Stichopus ocellatus
More or less smooth

Isostichopus fuscus < 7 cm
© S.W. Purcell
12 LATERAL TEATS
All species of this section have 5 anal teeth
White teats and grey back © C. Conand
13
Teats of indistinct colour
14
© S.W. Purcell
13 WHITE TEATS AND GREY DORSAL SURFACE
Grey with light-coloured spots © C. Conand
Holothuria sp. ‘pentard’
Solid grey
Holothuria nobilis
© S.W. Purcell
14 TEATS OF INDISTINCT COLOUR
Dark coloured
Holothuria whitmaei
© S.W. Purcell
Light coloured
© S.W. Purcell
15 NO PROTUBERANCES
Well-marked longitudinal dark

lines + extended tentacles
Holothuria cinerascens < 7 cm
© C. Conand
Well contrasted spots
16
© E. Aubry - FAO
Solid colours or very faint spots
18
© C. Conand
16 NO PROTUBERANCES: CONTRASTING SPOTS
More or less smooth
Bohadschia subrubra
© E. Aubry - FAO
17
© S.W. Purcell
17 NO PROTUBERANCES: CONTRASTING SPOTS
5 anal teeth
© S.W. Purcell
No anal teeth
Holothuria mexicana
Holothuria scabra
18 NO PROTUBERANCES: SOLID COLOUR
More or less smooth
19
© http://driedseacucumbers.blogspot.com
© S.W. Purcell
20
© F.A. Solis-Marin - FAO

19 NO PROTUBERANCES: SOLID COLOUR, SMOOTH
5 anal teeth
Actinopyga lecanora
Actinopyga miliaris
© http://driedseacucumbers.blogspot.com
No anal teeth
© S.W. Purcell Bohadschia argus
© C. Guisado - FAO Bohadschia atra
Thelenota anax
Holothuria hilla < 7 cm
Holothuria lessoni
20 NO PROTUBERANCES: SOLID COLOUR, WRINKLED
5 anal teeth
Actinopyga spinea
© S.W. Purcell
No anal teeth
21
© S.W. Purcell
21 NO PROTUBERANCES: SOLID COLOUR, WRINKLED
Cylindrical body
or ventrally flat
Holothuria impatiens < 7 cm
© S.W. Purcell
Holothuria mexicana
Holothuria scabra
Quadrangular body
Stichopus herrmanni
Stichopus ocellatus
© https://wap.china.cn
Species Cards
Holothuriida: Holothuriidae
100
(Jaeger, 1833)
Common names: Deep-water redfish, brownfish

Holothurie brune des profondeurs
Holothurie épineuse
Live form
(Pacific Ocean)
There may be a double

row of brown spots on the
dorsal surface.
© P. Bourjon - DORIS © S.W. Purcell
Live form (Indian Ocean) Dry form
20 cm on average, 8-15 cm on average

36 max
Between 200 g and 500 g Grey-brown dorsal surface
From beige to dark brown,

including light brown Rough and slightly ridged.
and/or orange Granular ventral surface.
There may be a double Small cut in the mouth
row of brown spots on the
dorsal surface
101
Similar species
Actinopyga lecanora A. mauritiana Bohadschia vitiensis

It can be the same light Tegument is much rougher, The colour is a much deeper
orange-brown colour as A. with white markings. yellow and has a small
echinites, but the posterior brown spot at the base of
end is white each podium. No anal
teeth.
And for the experts...
Characteristics of the spicules:

Rods (60-375 μm),
straight or slightly
Tentacles
curved, spiny at the
extremities
Rods and rosettes on
the dorsal tegument
Dorsal and ventral (20-135 μm), the
body wall ventral wall presents
even smaller rods and
rosettes (25-80 µm)
Rods and rosettes

Ventral podia similar to those of the
tegument (20-100 μm)
Dorsal podia Rosettes only
102
Actinopyga lecanora
(Jaeger, 1835)
Common names: Stonefish

Holothurie caillou
© IRD - Lagplon
© S.W. Purcell
Live form
Irregular white spot

surrounding the anus
Dry form
20 cm on average
10-12 cm
400 g on average
Brown-black
From beige to dark
brown (almost black)
including brown, solid Smooth ventral surface,
or slightly mottled and dorsal surface with
(sometimes with white shallow grooves.
spots). Irregular white
spot surrounding the
anus
103
Similar species

Rods (45-450 μm), straight or slightly curved, with
Tentacles extremities
Rosettes (25-35 µm) or X-shaped rosettes (50 µm) on the

Dorsal and Ventral
dorsal tegument, the ventral wall presents even smaller
Tegument
rosettes (20-25 µm)
Ventral podia Small rosettes (20-25 µm) like those on the tegument
Dorsal podia Rosettes and rods (65-90 µm)
104
(Quoy and Gaimard, 1833)
Common names: Surf redfish

Holothurie (brune) des brisants
NB: The precise © B. Guichard - DORIS

identity of the Pacific
Live form
variant is currently (Pacific Ocean)
debated, often
designated by the
name Actionypa White spots of irregular size
varians. No recent
and location on the dorsal
publication has
settled the matter. surface
© P. Bourjon
© S.W. Purcell
Live form (Indian Ocean) Dry form
20 cm on average, 35
8-15 cm
max.
Brown/black dorsal
300 to 700 g surface with white spots.
670 g on average in Ventral surface: from
New Caledonia cream to brown/ light red
Pacific Variant: from colour
beige to reddish brown Oval,
Ve elongated, flat and
Indian Ocean Variant: granular ventrally. Dorsal
Marbled greenish to side with grooves. Ventral
brownish with white side: granular with a cut
patches dorsally
105
Similar species
Actinopyga echinites Actinopyga lecanora

Large rugose rods
Tentacles (165-210 μm)
Spiny rods (55-90

Dorsal body wall μm) and simple
rosettes (20-45 μm)
Small grains,
elongated grains
Ventral body wall and rods that can
be spiny (20–80 µm
long)
Devoid of ossicles
Ventral podia apart from the end-
plate
Rods with slightly
spiny or ragged
Dorsal papillae
sides, and large
rosettes (50–60 μm)
106
Actinopyga miliaris
Common names: Hairy blackfish

Holothurie noire
Long, thin dorsal podia make it

look ‘hairy’
© F. Ducarme
Live form
© S.W. Purcell
Dry form
10-12 cm
max.
400 g on average
Solid black
Solid black Smooth surface. A small

cut could be made
Long, thin dorsal through the mouth or
podia make it look through the ventral
‘hairy’ surface
107
Similar species
Actinopyga palauensis Actinopyga spinea
Tentacles Rather large spiny rods (30–300 μm), spinier at the extremities.
Dorsal and ventral

Rosettes (± 25 μm)
body wall
Ventral podia Some rosettes, similar to those of the tegument
Rosettes of the same size as those of the tegument, some larger

(45-80 μm). Also, two types of rods: spiny (55-230 μm), often with
Dorsal papillae numerous lateral spiny extensions*, and smooth (100-150 μm),
some of which resemble rosettes
108
 Panning, 1944
Common names: Panning’s blackfish, Deepwater blackfish

Holothurie noire profonde
© S.W. Purcell
Bumpy dorsal
surface
Live form
© S.W. Purcell
Dry form
In New Caledonia: 25 cm 15-20 cm

on average
New Caledonia: From dark brown to

1.45 kg on average black
Somewhat bumpy
Solid dark brown/black (textured) and fine
wrinkles on the dorsal
surface
Bumpy dorsal surface
109
Similar species
Actinopyga miliaris Actinopyga spinea

Rods vary in size and roughness, the smallest (80 μm) are almost
Tentacles smooth; the largest (700 μm) are spiny at the ends
Dorsal and ventral

Non-perforated, rather asymmetrical, branching rods (25-75 μm)
body wall
Simpler ragged rods, usually slightly smaller than those in the body
Ventral podia wall
Dorsal podia Rods less ragged and more curved (up to 85 μm)
110
Actinopyga spinea
Cherbonnier, 1980
Common names: Burrowing/Burying blackfish

New Caledonia blackfish
Holothurie noire de Nouvelle-Calédonie
© S.W. Purcell
Live form
© S.W. Purcell
Dry form
27 cm on average,
38 max.
Dark brown/black
700 g on average
Elongated and
Solid dark cylindrical
brown/black
111
Similar species
Actinopyga miliaris Actinopyga palauensis

Only the peristome, anal region and tentacles are rich in ossicles in
this species.
Spiny curved rods of

Tentacles various size (250–500
μm)
A few forked spiny

rods (around 110 μm)
Dorsal body wall and spiny plates of
various sizes (80–130
μm)
Ventral body wall No ossicles
A few short,
Ventral podia bifurcating rods
(around 120 μm)
Similar rods to those of

Dorsal podia the Ventral podia but
twice as long
112
Actinopyga flammea
Cherbonnier, 1979
Common names: Hérissé deep-water redfish

Holothurie flamme
© IRD - Lagplon
From blueish to
greyish conical
papillae (light brown
in the dried form) on
the dorsal and
lateral surfaces
Live form
© S.W. Purcell
Dry form
25-30 cm on average, Dark brown

45 max.
Probably 2 kg Elongated body, rounded

at the ends
Light brown conical
Orange/pink to flame-
papillae on the dorsal and
red
ventral surfaces
From blue to grey A small cut across mouth
conical papillae on the or along middle part of
dorsal and lateral ventral surface
surfaces
113
Similar species
Similar dry form, but A. flammea’s body is

covered with light brown conical papillae

Tentacle stalk: massive rods, spiny at the extremities and with
a few perforations (up to 300 µm long)
Tentacles
Tentacle tips: thinner and smaller rods, (50–75 µm)
Dorsal body wall Spiky plates (40-60 μm) and spiny rods (50-55 μm)
Small rods with rounded or spiny ends that may branch out to
Ventral body wall become X-shaped. The size of these ossicles varies from 40 to
100 μm.
Ventral and dorsal Small rods similar to those of the ventral surface as well as rare
podia irregularly shaped perforated rods
114
Bohadschia argus
Jaeger, 1833
Common names: Leopard fish Holothurie léopard
Numerous yellow or ochre

© A. Poulsen – licensed CC BY-SA ocelli outlined and dotted
in brown, resembling the
skin of a leopard
© S.W. Purcell
Live form Dry form
35-40 cm on average, 60
12-18 cm
cm max.
1.8 to 2 kg Ventral surface: Brown or

grey
From brown/beige to grey or Dorsal surface: brown to
light purple/mauve light brown
Numerous yellow or ochre
ocelli outlined and dotted in No cut, or just a small one
brown, resembling the skin of in the mouth
a leopard
115
Similar species
Bohadschia atra B. marmorata B. vitiensis

Much darker in colour
Tentacles Spiny rods (80– 300 μm)
Dorsal body wall Rosettes (15– 30 μm)
Grains (10-30 μm) that

can be perforated as
Ventral body wall well as simple rosettes
(15-25 μm)
Similar rosettes and a

Ventral podia few rods with sharp or
swollen extremities
Same ossicles as Ventral

podia, but also rods
Dorsal podia that may be H-shaped
(40 μm)
116
Bohadschia atra
Massin, Rasolofonirina, Conand & Samyn, 1999
Common names: Tiger fish, leopard sea cucumber, red-eyed

sea cucumber, red-spotted black sea cucumber
Holothurie à ocelles rouges
© F. Ducarme
Numerous brown to red

spots (not evident on
the dried form)
Live form
© C. Conand
Dry form
35 cm on average
Black
500 g on average
Dorsal surface dark Elongated, similar to

brown to black, the shape of salami
lighter ventral surface
Numerous brown to
red spots
117
Similar species
Holothuria atra Bohadschia argus B. subrubra B. vitiensis
Thinner and more Lighter and

elongated, less regular more variable
in shape (twisted, in colour
curled, wrinkled)

Rods varying in size (depending on the size of the animal)
Tentacles between 80 and 360 μm
Dorsal body wall Relatively simple rosettes
Rosettes similar to those of the Dorsal body wall, but with

Ventral body wall simpler rosettes and grains that can be perforated (20-50 μm)
Ventral podia Rosettes similar to those of the body wall as well as straight rods
Dorsal podia A few rosettes similar to those of the dorsal tegument
118
Jaeger, 1833
Common names: Brown-spotted sandfish, Chalkfish

Holothurie de sable à tache
© S.W. Purcell
Big brown spots on

the dorsal surface
Live form
© E. Aubry - FAO
Dry form
18 cm on average, 7-9 cm
26 max.
300 g on average
Dorsal surface: Light

brown with big brown
spots
Ventral surface: from
white to cream colour
119
Similar species
Bohadschia subrubra
Thin rods varying in size (up to 220 μm) spiny at the

Tentacles extremities.
Dorsal body wall Simple rosettes (15–20 μm)
Round, ellipsoid or more irregularly shaped grains (15–20

Ventral body wall μm) and simple rosettes of the same size
Ventral and dorsal A few simple rosettes, most of them little branched at the
podia extremities
120
Bohadschia subrubra
Common names: Leopardfish, Falalyjaka (Madagascar)

Holothurie terre de sienne
© F. Ducarme
© F. Ducarme
Black spots on the dorsal
surface, which may cover
more of the surface than the
background colour
© J.M Sutour - DORIS
© H. Eriksson - FAO
Live form Dry form
Between 30 and 40 cm
500 to 800 g on average From orange brown to

light or dark brown with
Very variable: yellowish to black spots on the back
bright orange and dark brown,
but may also be purple or
white. White ventral surface.
Black spots on the dorsal Elongated with rounded
ends
surface, which may cover more
of the surface than the
background colour
121
Similar species
Bohadschia atra B. marmorata B. vitiensis
Rods varying in size (25–540 μm), mostly spiny; largest ones

Tentacles forked or with perforated extremities, especially in smaller
individuals.
Dorsal body wall Rosettes (20– 35 μm)
Ventral body wall Grains of various shapes and rosettes
Rosettes and grains similar to those of the body wall, as well as

Ventral podia straight, non-branched rods (20–210 μm)
Dorsal podia Rods (35–230 μm) and rosettes similar to those of the body wall.
122
(Semper, 1868)
Common names: Brown sandfish

Holothurie brune, Holothurie de sable brune
Small characteristic
brown spots at the base
of each podium
© S.W. Purcell
Live form
Dry form
25-35 cm on average,
12-15 cm
40 max.
400 to 800 g in Reunion From brown to brown-

and Madagascar and black
1.2 kg in Papua New
Guinea
Cylindrical body, arched
White to yellow/light and slightly wrinkled
orange, sometimes with dorsally and relatively
darker or lighter areas flat ventrally.
Small characteristic No cut, or just a small
brown spots at the base one in the mouth
of each podium
123
Similar species
Lighter ventral surface

Its morphology is
more stretched out
B. marmorata B. subrubra
Straight or slightly
Tentacles
rounded rods
Rather stout rosettes

Dorsal body (15–20 μm) which
wall can occasionally be
more elongated
Ovoid, ellipsoid or
more irregularly
Ventral shaped grains;
body wall grains can be
perforated (10–20
μm)
Numerous rods of
Ventral
various shapes (35–
podia
75 μm)
Rods, similar in
Dorsal shape and size to
podia the larger ones of
the Ventral podia
124
(Semper, 1868)
Common names: Blackspotted sea cucumber, Flowerfish

Holothurie rayée, Holothurie fleur
Conical papillae with © F. Ducarme

white podia on the
dorsal surface Frontal mouth, as wide
as the body
© J. Akamine - FAO
© F. Ducarme
Live form Dry form
17-35 cm, 45 max.

15 cm
130 to 700 g on
average (1.3 kg
From black to
max.)
brown-black
Light beige or cream
with larger brown
Elongated with a
patches and black dots
rectangular cross-
Conical papillae with section
white spines on the No cut, or just a small
dorsal surface, mouth as one in the mouth
wide as the body
125
Similar species
Tentacles Rods that might resemble rosettes (20–90 μm)
Dorsal and ventral Rods (20-50 μm) and knobbed pseudo-tables (30-65
body wall μm)
Ventral and Very complex rosettes that resemble those of the body
dorsal podia wall.
126
Holothuria arenicola
Semper, 1868
Common names: Sand sea cucumber

Holothurie arénicole
Two rows of dark brown

spots on the ventral
surface
Live form © S.W. Purcell
Dry form
10 cm on average,
30 max.
From tan to brown
Probably less than 100 g
From cream to rusty tan.

Some individuals are The body tapers at
quite orange, becoming both extremities
whitish towards its
extremities. Two rows of
dark brown spots on the
ventral surface
127
Similar species
The pattern of light skin colour with two sets of dark spots is relatively common in sea
cucumbers and can lead to confusion. The following are a few species that share this
characteristic:
H. fuscocinerea H. pervicax
H. pardalis
It is distinguished from H.
arenicola by its small warts
Spiny rods at the extremities; the larger ones have perforated

Tentacles
and/or forked distal ends (100-200 μm)
Very small flat tables (40-55 μm), often reduced to the smooth-
Dorsal and edged disc, perforated by 4 large central holes and 0-4 small
ventral body peripheral holes with very short pillars ending in a few spines or a
wall small crown of spines; very regular buttons (40-50 μm) with 3
pairs of holes.
Ventral podia Buttons, tables and rods (up to 180 μm)
Tables, buttons and rods similar to those of Ventral podia; large
Dorsal podia
buttons (50-225 μm), with 3-10 pairs of holes, are abundant
128
Holothuria atra
Jaeger, 1833
Common names: Lollyfish

Holothurie à ocelles noirs, Holothurie lolly
© F. Ducarme
© F. Ducarme
© S.W. Purcell
Live form
Often covered by
substrata, except for
two rows of bare circles
Dry form
15 to 30 cm, 45 cm 5-12 cm
max.
Black
200 to 400 g
Cylindrical, narrow
Solid black (possibly with body
reddish-brown highlights)
No cut, or just a small
one in the mouth
129
Similar species
Actinopyga miliaris Holothuria leucospilota Holothuria coluber

Larger, shorter, higher Larger, thinner, Grey, more elongated,
back covered with podia light-coloured tentacles
Tentacles Thin rods varying in size

Tables of Ventral body wall
with larger, spinier disc (up
to
60 µm) than those of Dorsal

body wall
Dorsal and
ventral body Table disc perforated by
wall four central holes; spire
ending
in a Maltese cross. Simple
rosettes (20–25 µm long)
more abundant dorsally
than ventrally
Pseudo-plates (75–100 μm)

Ventral and and rosettes of similar size as
dorsal podia those in the body wall
130
(Brandt, 1835)
Common names: Ashy sea cucumber © P. Bourjon - DORIS
Holothurie cendrée
Dendro-pelted
tentacles, yellow with
red-brown veins and
white terminals
Live form
Numerous yellow podia
ventrally and dorsally
© C. Conand
Dry form
10 cm on average,
16 max.
Grey with brown lines
From dark brown to ventrally
red-brown with darker
spots
Shaped like small
Numerous yellow podia
wooden rods
ventrally and dorsally. Dendro-pelted
Dendro-pelted tentacles, yellow with
tentacles, yellow with red-brown veins and
red-brown veins and white terminals
white terminals
131
Similar species
There may be some confusion with certain holothurians of the order Dendrochirotida,
of which we can usually only see the tentacles. In this case, it is their colours that will
allow their identification, as well as their shape.
Tentacles Rods (60–140 µm long), finely rugose at the sides
Tables more numerous in the dorsal than in the Ventral body wall.
Dorsal and Tables with discs (35-55 μm), smooth to slightly spinose rim,
ventral body perforated by 4 central holes; spire ending in a wide Maltese cross.
wall Rods rugose, more so dorsally (65–100 µm)
Ventral and Similar ossicles to those in the body wall. Dorsal podia also with
dorsal podia perforated plates (up to 120 µm)
132
Holothuria coluber
Semper, 1868
Common names: Snakefish Holothurie serpent
© S.W. Purcell
Body wall covered with

small whitish bumps
Live form
Spiky yellow papillae,
especially around the
mouth and ventral
edges. Tentacles are
long and light-coloured. © J. Akamine - FAO
Dry form
18-40 cm (60 max). 12-18 cm
140 to 300 g Brown
From dark grey to Long irregular skinny

black shape. Small cut across
mouth and/or in the
Spiky yellow papillae, centre of the body.
Body wall covered with
especially around the
small whitish bumps
mouth and edges
133
Similar species
H. leucospilota has black tentacles while H. coluber

has yellow tentacles.
Tentacles Slightly rounded and spiny rods at the extremities (40–165 μm)
Tables with discs (60-80 μm), perforated by a single central hole and
Dorsal and up to 12 peripheral holes; edge spinose and often turned upwards,
ventral body giving a kind of ‘cup and saucer’ appearance; low spire ending in a
wall narrow crown of spines. Buttons are rare, and they have 3–5 pairs of
holes, quite irregular in appearance.
Tables similar to the body wall, as well as perforated plates (35–140

Ventral and µm), and rods with enlarged and often perforated extremities (50–110
dorsal podia µm)
134
Holothuria edulis
Lesson, 1830
Common names: Pinkfish Trépang rose, holothurie rose
© V. Lamare- DORIS
Pink body wall
© S.W. Purcell
Live form
Dry form
20-24 cm on average, 10-14 cm

38 max.
Dark brown dorsal surface,
200 g on average lighter brown ventral surface
Dark grey, chocolate Narrow cylindrical shape,

brown or black dorsally, dorsal surface with small
fading laterally to pink or wrinkles, smoother ventral
whitish pink on the surface
ventral surface. No cut, or just a small one in
the mouth
135
Similar species
Due to its often-pink colouring and characteristic shape, it is not possible to confuse
Holothuria edulis with any other species.
Curved rods with

Tentacles enlarged spiny
extremities (70–180 μm)
Tables with greatly
reduced disc (35 µm),
perforated by one
central hole; spire
Dorsal and ending in a Maltese
ventral body cross.
wall Button-like rosettes
perforated by 4–10
uneven holes and with
an uneven rim (30–70
µm)
Perforated plates (100–
Ventral podia 140 μm) and shorter
rods
Large rods that might
Dorsal podia have a few
perforations (135 μm)
136
Semper, 1868
Common names: Red snakefish, Yellow spotted sea cucumber

Holothurie serpent rouge, Holothurie à points jaunes
Short yellow ochre

conical papillae
Chestnut colour more defined after boiling.
Live form
Dry form
20 cm
35 cm on average,
60 max. Brown covered with
lighter-coloured bumps
Solid purplish-brown Similar to Holothuria coluber

to maroon Irregular, elongated shape,
clearly tapered at the
mouth
Short yellow ochre Small cut across mouth
conical papillae and/or in the centre of the
body
137
Similar species
Holothuria coluber Holothuria leucospilota

Dark grey-blue body wall Black body wall
Tentacles Straight or curved rods (95–355 µm)
Dorsal and Tables without disc, spire ending in a Maltese cross. Massive spiny
ventral body rods (85–105 μm)
wall
Ventral and Tables similar to the body wall, rods with perforated extremities (160–
dorsal podia 200 μm) and perforated plates (130–210 µm)
138
Holothuria fuscocinerea
Jaeger, 1833
Common names: Ashen/ashy pink sea cucumber

Holothurie cendre brune
Black-tipped wart-like
bumps
Live form
3 to 7 dark transverse
blotches on the dorsal
surface
© J. Akamine - FAO
Dry form
20 cm on average,
35 max. Light brown
Light brown to a
pinkish beige on the
dorsal surface, with 3 Dorsal surface
to 7 blackish blotches covered in bumps
Black-tipped wart-
like bumps
139
Similar species
Holothuria pervicax H. arenicola

H. pardalis
Tentacles Curved rods (50-400 μm) slightly rugose at the sides
Tables and buttons poorly developed.

Dorsal and
Rounded, smooth table discs (25–40 μm), perforated by 4 central
ventral body
holes and a few peripheral holes, low spire ending in a Maltese
wall
cross. Smooth, irregular buttons (25–40 μm) with 1-3 pairs of holes
Irregular perforated rods (up to 235 μm), large perforated plates

Ventral podia (100–155 μm), buttons (up to 70 μm), and tables with spire reduced
to knobs on disc
Dorsal Rods perforated at the extremities (up to 300 μm) as well as a few
papillae large tables with spire reduced to knobs
140
Cherbonnier, 1980
Common names: H White teatfish

Holothurie blanche à mamelles
© F. Ducarme
A single straight cut on

the dorsal surface
© S.W. Purcell
Live form
6 to 8 lateral teat-
like protuberances
Dry form
Between 40 and 60 cm 18-24 cm
2.4 to 3 kg
Grey-brown
From light brown, to dark
grey with whitish spots, or From smooth to slightly wrinkled
whitish or beige with dark with longer “teats” than the
brown blotches. other two “teatfish”, and
pointier; “teats” are white in
contrast to the rest of the body
6 to 8 lateral teat-like A single straight cut on the
protuberances dorsal surface
141
Similar species
 see Appendix
Holothuria nobilis Holothuria whitmaei
Large rods (up to 700

Tentacles μm) rugose at the
extremities
Round and undulating

table disc (65–100 µm),
perforated by 10–15
holes, low spire ending
Dorsal body in a stout crown of
wall spines that can have
more than one layer in
the largest tables.
Irregular ellipsoid
buttons (around 65 µm)
Tables and ellipsoid
buttons as those on the
Ventral body dorsal surface, and
wall slightly knobbed buttons
(60–80 µm long)
Ventral and Large perforated

dorsal podia plates
142
Jaeger, 1833
Common names: Elephant trunkfish

Holothurie trompe d’éléphant
© IRD – Lagplon
Deep, brown wrinkles dorsally

(like an elephant’s trunk)
Live form
© S.W. Purcell
Dry form
48 cm on average, 70 20-25 cm
max.
From light brown to beige on
3K g on average, 5.5 kg the dorsal surface
max. Tiny black spots are visible all
From golden to light brown or over the body
cream on the dorsal surface
with numerous brown spots, Elongated, arched
that become lighter on the dorsally, and flattened
ventral surface ventrally
Small cut across mouth or
Deep, brown wrinkles dorsally large ventral cut. Deep,
(like an elephant’s trunk) brown wrinkles dorsally (like
an elephant’s trunk)
143
Similar species
Holothuria scabra

Straight rods (30–150
Tentacles μm) slightly spiny
Numerous tables and

ellipsoid buttons. Some
smooth and knobbed
buttons ventrally
Tables have small discs
(35–55 µm) with irregular
Dorsal and and spiny rim,
ventral body perforated by 4 central
wall holes and few
peripheral holes, and a
low spire that ends in a
spiny crown. Ellipsoid
buttons perforated by
4–6 pairs of holes (on
average 75 µm)
Spiny plates that can

Ventral and take the form of irregular
dorsal podia branching rods
144
Holothuria hilla
Lesson,1830
Common names: Contractile/sand sifting sea cucumber

Holothurie contractile
Live form
Large, flat, light-
coloured, conical
papillae
Dry form
25 cm max.
Chestnut
From orange or tan to

dark brown
Large, flat, light-

coloured, conical
papillae
145
Similar species
Actinopyga flammea Holothuria impatiens H. pardalis H. flavomaculata

Shorter and thicker body More sombre colouring Significantly smaller
Tentacles Slender rods (45– 145 μm)

Dorsal and ventral body wall with similar tables and rods,
although there are fewer tables in the Ventral body wall. Smooth
Dorsal and table discs (50–70 µm), with a circular to quadrangular outline,
ventral body perforated by four central holes and 9–13 peripheral ones; the
wall short spire terminates in a narrow crown of spines. Irregular
buttons (70–100 μm) with a smooth rim, and 3-6 pairs of holes
Buttons similar to those in the body wall, with perforated plates

Ventral podia (up to 160 µm long and 75 µm wide)
Dorsal papillae Buttons (up to 125 μm) and rods (up to 200 μm)
146
Holothuria impatiens
(Forsskål, 1775)
Common names: Brown spotted sea cucumber, impatient

sea cucumber, Bottleneck sea cucumber
Holothurie bouteille
Holoturia cuello de botella
NB: This species is considered an extremely Visible papillae

variable species complex
© F. Ducarme
5 or more dark brown
transverse bands on the
dorsal surface
Visible mouth
tentacles
Live form Dry form
20 cm (26 cm max.)
50 g
Light brown dorsal 5-7 cm

surface with 5 or more
dark brown transverse
bands. Beige ventral
surface
Visible papillae and
mouth tentacles
147
Similar species
Holothuria hilla
Straight and curved rods

Tentacles (75–350 μm), spiny at the
extremities
Tables with round, smooth

disc (80–90 µm),
perforated by 4 large
holes and 4–8 peripheral
Dorsal and holes; short spire ending in
ventral body a spiny crown
wall
Buttons (60–100 µm) with a
smooth rim and 3–4 pairs
of holes, and sometimes
with a median line
Tables and buttons similar

to those of body wall and
Ventral and rods (175–270 µm) with
dorsal podia median and distal
swellings and perforations
148
(Selenka, 1867)
Common names: Sea cucumber
© M. Honey-Escandón
Pointy
protuberances on
the dorsal surface
© F.A. Solís-Marín
© F.A. Solís-Marín © S.W. Purcell
Live form Dry form
20 cm max.
From dark brown to
From reddish-brown to black
greyish with dark-tipped
papillae
Very textured and rough
Pointy protuberances dorsal surface, with
on the dorsal surface multiple protrusions
149
Similar species
External layer of tables with small (40–50 µm), or completely

Dorsal and reduced disc that often has some prominent marginal spines, and
ventral body the well-developed spire ends in a Maltese cross. The inner layer of
wall the body wall holds small (50 µm), perforated plates, mostly with 2–
4 large central holes and some small terminal ones
Ventral podia Rods (80 μm) with enlarged, perforated endings

Dorsal Straight rods with perforated ends
papillae
150
Holothuria lessoni
Massin, Uthicke, Purcell, Rowe & Samyn, 2009
Common names: Golden sandfish

Holothurie de sable versicolor
© S.W. Purcell © S.W. Purcell
Live form (spotted variant) Live form (black variant)
© S.W. Purcell
© B. Giraspi - FAO
Live form (beige variant) Dry form
max. 13 cm
1.1 to 1.4 kg
Golden brown
Highly variable colouring:
from dark greyish black to
beige with black blotches Elongated, ends of the
and spots, or beige body are rounded,
without black spots slightly arched dorsally
Ventral surface is whitish or Small ventral cut
grey in the black variants
151
Similar species
Holothuria scabra
Tentacles Slightly curved rods (60– 650 μm) spiny at the extremities
Tables with discs (50–110 μm), spiny, quadrangular, and

perforated by one central hole and 4–10 peripheral holes (large
Dorsal body wall
discs with circles of peripheral holes); spire ending in a spiny
crown; knobbed buttons (40–60 µm) and 3–4 pairs of small holes.
Tables and buttons similar to those of the body wall (but some are
Ventral podia smooth), rods with perforated extremities (115–265 μm) and
perforated plates (85–280 µm)
Buttons, tables and rods. Buttons are smooth or nodulous, with 3–4
Dorsal podia pairs of holes and perforated plates (160–200 µm) with two rows of
holes
152
Brandt, 1835
Common names: White threadsfish

Trépang à canaux blancs
Holothurie à filaments blancs
Large black mouth
tentacles
© P. Bourjon
Live form
Dry form
30 cm on average,
50 max.
335 to 900 g This species can be traded

together with other low
value species
Black
Large black mouth

tentacles
153
Similar species
Actinopyga miliaris Holothuria coluber Holothuria atra

Smaller sea cucumber Dark grey-blue body wall Smaller sea cucumber
Tentacles No ossicles
Tables with round to
quadrangular discs (40–70
μm) perforated by 4 central
holes and 4–12 peripheral
Dorsal and
holes; the rims of discs are
ventral body
smooth to spiny; spire ending
wall
in a spiny crown
Irregular buttons (40–70 μm)
with 2-5 pairs of irregular
holes
Tables and buttons similar to
those of the body wall, large
Ventral podia perforated plates (60– 120
μm)
Tables and buttons similar to

those of the body wall,
Dorsal podia variously perforated rods (50–
190 μm)
154
Holothuria mexicana
Ludwig, 1875
Common names: Holothurie mexicaine
© J. Cassell Wart-like
protuberances
on the dorsal
surface
Live form
Large dorsal and
lateral folds
Dry form
33 cm on average,
50 cm max.
260 g (Panama)
From dark brown to
Dark brown, grey or black blackish
dorsally, becoming lighter
on the lower edges
Ventral surface varies The body becomes
from bright red, pink, narrower at both ends
orange, white, yellowish, and has a bumpy
grey, dark purple or black texture
Large dorsal and lateral

folds. Wart-like
protuberances on the
dorsal surface
155
Similar species
Tentacles Rods varying in size (55–190 μm) and rosettes
Tables with irregular discs that have spiny extensions (50–95 µm)
and are perforated by 4 large central holes and few peripheral
Dorsal body wall ones; spire ending in a spiny crown
Rosettes can be open or closed, forming biscuit-shaped ossicles
(25–50 µm)
Rosettes similar to those of the Dorsal body wall, with less tables
Ventral body wall
with discs (40–75 μm)
156
Holothuria nobilis
(Selenka, 1867)
Common names: Black teatfish

Holothurie noire à mamelles
© J.M Sutour - DORIS
like protuberances
© S.W. Purcell
Live form
the dorsal surface
35 cm on average,
60 cm max. Dry form
1.7 to 3 kg on 18-24 cm
average, 4 kg max.
Brown-grey dorsally,
From chocolate brown grey ventrally
to matte black, with
cream-coloured spots, Smooth to slightly
the largest ones wrinkled body surface
surrounding the A single straight cut on
protuberances the dorsal surface
6 to 10 lateral teat-like
6 to 10 lateral teat-like
protuberances
protuberances
157
Similar species
Holothuria whitmaei H. fuscogilva Bohadschia subrubra

This species is The morphology is identical but There are no "teats" and the
entirely black the colour is beige to white with lighter areas are generally
large scattered darker patches on larger
 see Appendix 3 the dorsal surface

Tentacles Spiny rods at the extremities (40–410 μm) and mostly curved
Circular table discs (55–70 µm) with an undulating rim, perforated by

4 large central holes and 8–12 peripheral holes; low spire ending in a
Dorsal and regular spiny crown or in an irregular one with fewer spines. Buttons
ventral body of the Dorsal body wall are elongated or ellipsoid (on average 100
wall µm). Buttons of the Ventral body wall can be smooth, knobbed, or
fenestrated (80–100 µm)
Ventral and Large perforated plates with ragged sides

dorsal podia
158
Ludwig, 1875
Common names: Dorilisy, Tsimihoke (Madagascar)
© IH-SM-WIOMSA - FAO
Tapered near the

anus
Live form
2 rows of black dots

© IH-SM-WIOMSA - FAO
Dry form
18 cm on average,
32 cm max.
180 g on average, 500 g

max.
Whitish with many dark- Shaped like small

brown or black dots on wooden rods
the dorsal surface,
forming two rows of 8 to
10 dots
Tapered near the anus
159
Similar species
H. arenicola
Tables with larger disc diameter than body wall and with fully
developed spire. Among the two types of tables, we can find
Dorsal body wall
all kinds of intermediates, both in diameter of table disc and
in height of spire
Numerous small nodulous buttons and a few tables with
Ventral body wall irregularly spined discs and with their spire reduced to 4 short
pillars fused at the base
160
Holothuria sp.
(type ‘’Pentard ‘’ sensu Paulay)
Common names: Flower teatfish

Pentard
Irregular cream colour
spots on the dorsal
surface
© R. Aumeeruddy

the dorsal surface
© C. Conand
Live form
like protuberances
Dry form
30 cm on average 17 cm
1.6 kg on average Irregular cream colour

spots on the dorsal
surface
Dark brown dorsally 6 to 8 lateral teat-like
protuberances
6 to 8 lateral teat-like A single straight cut
protuberances on the dorsal surface
161
Similar species
Holothuria nobilis H. fuscogilva
Tables with round, smooth discs (60–75 µm) perforated by a

single central hole and a ring of peripheral holes; wide spire
ending in a crown of spines.
Dorsal body wall
Buttons can be smooth or can have a few medium-sized
knobs with 4–8 pairs of holes, or can be modified into simple
ellipsoid buttons (80–115 µm)
Tables of roughly the same form and size as the Dorsal body
Ventral body wall wall, buttons (110 µm) are smoother slightly knobbed
and have 4–7 pairs of holes.
Ventral and dorsal
Undocumented
podia
162
Holothuria pardalis
Selenka, 1867
Common names: Leopard sea cucumber

Holothurie panthère
Short conical papillae scattered

on the dorsal surface
Numerous tiny dark brown

spots on the dorsal surface,
random shape and distribution
Live form
Dry form
12 cm on average,
25 max.
From yellowish beige to pink dorsal This species can be

surface traded together
Yellowish white to yellow ventral with other low
surface Numerous tiny dark brown value species
spots on the dorsal surface,
random shape and distribution
Short conical papillae scattered

163
Similar species
Holothuria pervicax H. arenicola H. fuscocinerea
Tentacles Rods (up to 180 μm)
Table discs (50–80 µm) with smooth or spiny edges, perforated

Dorsal and ventral by 4 central holes and 4–12 peripheral holes; the spire
body wall terminates in a narrow crown of spines
Buttons (40–70 μm) with 3-10 rather irregular holes
Tables and buttons similar to those of the body wall, large
Ventral podia
perforated plates (up to 150 μm)
Tables and buttons similar to those of the body wall, large rods,
Dorsal papillae slightly curved (90–170 μm) and perforated at the extremities
164
Holothuria pervicax
Selenka, 1867
Common names: Impatient/Stubborn sea cucumber

Holothurie têtue
Clear distinction
between dorsal
and ventral
surfaces
Live form
Ventral surface: covered in
numerous cylindrical
podia, long and white
Dorsal surface: Dome-shaped
protuberances, light beige to
bright pink. Top has a dark circle
Dry form
35 cm max.
From light-brown to pinkish beige This species can be

with 4 to 6 dark brown blotchy traded together
bands. White to yellowish ventral with other low
surface value species
Ventral surface: covered in
numerous cylindrical, long, white
podia. Dorsal surface: Dome-
shaped protuberances, light beige
to bright pink. Top has a black circle
165
Similar species
Smaller
Holothuria pardalis H. fuscocinerea

Rods (150–375 µm), the largest ones are slightly spinose
Tentacles distally
Tables with discs (30–40 µm), smooth and undulating rim,

perforated by 4 central holes and 1–3 smaller peripheral
Dorsal and ventral
holes; spire, if present, is low and ends in an ill-formed crown.
body wall
Pseudo-buttons of Dorsal body wall are slightly larger (40–55
µm), while those of Ventral body wall are smaller (25–35 µm)
Ventral podia Buttons, perforated plates and perforated rods
Dorsal papillae Rods that can become perforated plates (up to 190 μm)
166
Holothuria scabra
Jaeger, 1833
Common names: Sandfish Holothurie de sable
© G. Robinson
Deep transverse
wrinkles on the
dorsal surface
© S.W. Purcell
Live form
© S.W. Purcell
24 cm on average,
40 max.
300 to 580 g, 2 kg max.
Colour varies according to Dry form

the region: Pacific Ocean:
Black to grey or light
brownish green. Indian 10-15 cm
Ocean: Dark grey with
white, beige or yellow From dark brown to
transverse stripes. White or black. Amber-brown
grey ventral surface with ventral surface
dark spots
No cut, or just a small
Deep transverse wrinkles one in the mouth
dorsally
167
Similar species
Actinopyga miliaris A. palauensis A. spinea
Holothuria lessoni H. fuscopuncata

Spiny rods (80– 440 μm) slightly
Tentacles curved
Tables are rare, quadrangular

disc (60-95 μm) with smooth
rim, perforated by 1 central
Ventral body wall hole and 8–16 peripheral
holes; spire ending in crown of
blunt spines; numerous buttons
(40–75 μm)
Tables similar to those of the

Dorsal body wall body wall, but smaller; buttons
(40–50 μm)
A few rods and tables, but lots

Dorsal papillae of buttons like those of the
body wall
Nodulous buttons (40–90 µm),

Ventral podia perforated rods (110–170 µm),
and tables like in the body wall
168
Théel, 1886
Common names: Brownfish, Raja attai, Cheena attai (India),

Galatta ou Weli-atta (Sri Lanka), Nanasi (Zanzibar, Tanzania)
© P.S Asha - FAO
Numerous small,
pointy papillae on
the whole body
© D.B James - FAO
© P.S Asha - FAO
Live form Dry form
30 cm on average
8-10 cm
300 g on average
Light brown
Brown dorsal surface,
becoming lighter on
the ventral surface Rugose dorsal surface
Smooth ventral surface
Numerous small, Small cut in the anus
pointy papillae on
the whole body
169
Similar species
Tentacles Long rods with spiny extremities (500 μm)
Buttons are very nodulous, generally with 3 pairs of holes, but

other types are also possible
Dorsal and ventral
Tables present a well-developed disc, perforated by 4
body wall
central holes and a circle of peripheral holes; spire is quite
stout and low, ending in an open crown of spines.
Ventral podia Perforated plates that may be expanded in the centre
Dorsal and Anal Large tack-like tables, which can be up to 200 µm high, are
Papillae characteristics of this species
170
Holothuria whitmaei
Bell, 1887
Common names: Black teatfish

Holothurie noire à mamelles
© S.W. Purcell

the dorsal surface
© S.W. Purcell
Live form
like protuberances
Dry form
34 cm on average,
15-20 cm
54 max.
1.8 kg on average in Dusty grey dorsally and

New Caledonia brownish grey ventrally
Solid black dorsally
and dark grey Ventral surface with fine
ventrally bumps
Relatively smooth dorsal
5 to 10 lateral teat-like surface
protuberances A single straight cut on
the dorsal surface
171
Similar species
Black body with white

spots while H. whitmaei
is entirely black
 see Appendix 3
Holothuria nobilis H. fuscogilva
Rods varying in size (100–335 μm), spiny at the extremities, but not
Tentacles branching
Tables and ellipsoid buttons. Table discs (70–85 µm), perforated by

one central hole and a ring of peripheral holes; the stout, low spire
Dorsal body wall
ends in a wide spiny crown.
Ellipsoid buttons (50–70 μm), rather irregular, perforated by 3-5 holes
Tables like those of the Dorsal body wall, ellipsoid buttons (55–85
Ventral body wall µm) more elongated and with more occluded holes; long buttons
are almost smooth
172
Synallactida: Stichopodidae
173
(Stimpson, 1857)
Common names: Giant red/California sea cucumber
© D. Raven – licensed CC BY NC
Large papillae (about 40 in

total) and small fleshy papillae,
from yellow to orange with red
tips on the dorsal surface
Live form
Large visible papillae
© J. Akamine - FAO
25-40 cm on
Dry form
average, 50 max.
500 g 10-13 cm
Mottled brown to red

Grey
and yellow over the
dorsal surface. Light
cream coloured ventral A cut on the ventral
surface surface
Large papillae (about 40 Large visible papillae
in total) and small fleshy
papillae, from yellow to
orange with red tips on
the dorsal surface
174
Similar species
Brownish dorsal surface, lighter

ventral surface. Numerous small
black-tipped papillae

Tables with round discs
(70–95 µm), perforated
by 4 central holes that
alternate with 4 smaller
and more distal holes,
often there are smaller
Dorsal and ventral
holes on each side of
body wall
the latter; high spire
ending in a spiny crown.
Irregular buttons (90
μm) with 5-7 pairs of
holes
175
Apostichopus japonicus
(Selenka, 1867)
Common names: Japanese sea cucumber

Bêche-de-mer japonaise
Cohombro de mar japonés
© Kuroshio – licensed CC BY-NC

2 rows of large conical
papillae on the dorsal
surface and 2 rows at
the lateral margins of
the ventral surface
© S.W. Purcell
Live form
20 cm on average
Dry form
200 g on average
From dark grey to dark
brown
From brown to
grey/olive green Possesses rows of
dorsal surface; brown characteristic, lighter
to grey ventral surface grey, pointed protrusions
along the body
2 rows of large conical 2 rows of large conical
papillae on the dorsal papillae on the dorsal
surface and 2 rows at surface and 2 rows at the
the lateral margins of lateral margins of the
the ventral surface ventral surface
176
Similar species
Tentacles Curved, spiny rods
In adults, tables are

rudimentary (reduced
to spiny discs) or rare in
the body wall. Small
individuals have better
Dorsal and ventral developed tables. C-
body wall shaped rods and
rosettes are never
present. The cloacal
wall has numerous
very complex plates.
Similar tables to those

Ventral podia in the body wall, and
simple supporting rods
Tables with a more

elaborate spire and
Dorsal podia perforated supporting
rods
177
(Clark, 1913)
Common names: Warty sea cucumber
Dorsal surface with

numerous small,
black‑tipped papillae that
are interspersed with
larger, orangish, conical
papillae.
© J. Akamine - FAO
© J. Zounes – licensed by CC BY-NC
Live form
Dry form
Probably around 30-

max.
Greyish-brown
From orange to
reddish to brownish
grey
“Pimply” texture on the
Dorsal surface with surface
numerous small,
black‑tipped papillae
that are interspersed
with larger, orangish,
conical papillae
178
Similar species
Darker ventrally
Spiny rods (up to

Tentacles 600 μm)
Tables with discs

(45 μm) rarely
with more than 4
perforations; spire
ending in a
Dorsal and ventral narrow spiny
body wall crown.
Buttons (around
90 μm) with 3-4
pairs of holes,
quite
asymmetrical
179
(Sluiter, 1910)
Common names: Furry sea cucumber

Holothurie à fourrure
Pointy papillae over

1 cm long on the
dorsal surface and
flanks; these
papillae give the
animal a furry
appearance
© Marique – licensed CC BY
Live form
Dry form
50 cm max.
2.5 kg max.
From brown to
yellowish-grey dorsal
surface with numerous
white spots and
blotches of varying size.
White ventral surface
Pointy papillae over 1
cm long on the dorsal
surface and flanks; these
papillae give the animal
a furry appearance
180
Similar species
In larger specimens, straight or slightly rounded rods (up to

Tentacles 175 μm), spiny at the ends and usually also along the shaft
C-, O- and S-shaped ossicles (around 50 μm), often spiny
In smaller specimens (less than 20 cm) there are large
Dorsal and ventral abnormal tables.
body wall In larger specimens (>20 cm), these tables are not present.
Numerous C-, O- and S-shaped elements (40–80 µm)
181
(Hutton, 1872)
Common names: Brown mottled sea cucumber
Conical papillae on the

dorsal surface and along
the lateral margins,
which can be lighter in
colour or dark brown
© P. Southwood licensed CC BY SA
© L. Zamora - FAO
Live form Dry form
17 cm on average
110 g on average From light brown to

greyish-brown and with
From blackish-brown to a mottled colour pattern
brown to yellow or
cream. Lighter ventral Papillae on the dorsal
surface surface should be
evident, but much less
Conical papillae on the
than on a live
dorsal surface and
along the lateral specimen
margins, lighter or dark
brown
182
Similar species
Large, curved and

spiny rods (around 800
μm)
Tentacles
Small, smooth ossicles
(up to 150 μm) of
different sizes
Tables with round discs
(90–100 µm),
perforated by 4
central and 4
peripheral holes
Dorsal body wall (occasionally a whole
circle of
perforations), with a
spire ending in a
Maltese cross.
Similar tables to the

Dorsal body wall, but
slightly smaller, with
Ventral body wall discs (up to 70 µm),
and rarely rosettes (90
µm)
Ventral podia Perforated plates
183
(Selenka, 1867)
Common names: Four-sided/ three-rowed sea cucumber

Holothurie à points
Body wall with

transverse folds Conical "warts", more or less
© J-M Sutour - DORIS aligned, scattered on the
dorsal surface and aligned on
the sides
© S.W. Purcell
Live form
Leg-like
extensions at the
lower margins
21 cm (Cuba), 45 cm max. Dry form
6-12 cm
276 g on average
Dark brown dorsal
surface, lighter ventral
Beige to orange with brown spots surface
on the "warts", or, on the contrary,
brown with light spots, or very Rugose dorsal surface,
rarely solid brown covered in dark spots with
small visible wrinkles
Clear distinction between dorsal Granular ventral surface.
and ventral surfaces: body shape Conical warts, scattered
is trapezoidal. Body wall with on the dorsal surface and
transverse folds. Leg-like extensions aligned on the sides. Leg-
at the lower margins. Conical like extensions at the
warts scattered on the dorsal lower margins
surface and aligned on the sides
184
Similar species
No “warts” with contrasting

spots on the dorsal surface. No
clear distinction between
ventral and dorsal surfaces
Holothuria mexicana

In larger specimens: spiny rods
(50–1100 µm), tables with discs
Tentacles (65–100 µm), as well as some C-
shaped rods (70 µm on average)
Numerous tables and C-shaped

rods.
Regular, smooth table discs (40–
Dorsal and ventral 60 µm), perforated by 4 central
body wall holes and a complete ring of 10-
12 peripheral holes; spire ends in
a spiny crown.
C-shaped ossicles (50– 70 μm)
185
Isostichopus fuscus
(Ludwig, 1875)
Common names: Giant sea cucumber

Concombre de mer géant
Pepino de mar gigante
Yellow conical papillae

© S.W. Purcell
© S.W. Purcell
Live form
Dry form
20-24 cm 6-10 cm
294 to 497 g on average

Greyish black
Dark brown dorsal
surface Light brown Rounded, conical,
ventral surface papillae dispersed over
Yellow conical the entire body
papillae on the dorsal (especially at the lower
surface lateral margins)
186
Similar species
Tentacles Curved rods (100– 400 μm)
Tables and C-shaped rods; no rosettes or X-shaped rods.

Dorsal and ventral
Smooth table discs (on average 40 µm) with a moderately
body wall
high spire that ends in a spiny crown. C-shaped rods (40 μm)
187
Brandt, 1835
Common names: Greenfish

Trepang vert, Holothurie verte
Elongated conical
papillae
© S.W. Purcell
Live form
Dry form
20 cm on average,
10-12 cm
35 max.
80 to 150 g
From dark grey to
black
From dark green to
blue-green to near No cut, or just a small
black with bright one in the mouth
orange papillae Wart-like conical
papillae
Wart-like conical
papillae
188
Similar species
The colours of Stichopus chloronotus, if not its mere morphology, allow it to be differentiated
from other sea cucumbers, even within its own genus, Stichopus.
Base of tentacles: tables reduced to the disc, small

Tentacles knobbed rods and few very long rods (up to 450 µm)
Tentacle tips; spiny curved rods (65–470 µm)
Ventrally, tables are larger, with 30–45 µm discs, than
dorsally, discs 25–30 µm.
Dorsal and ventral Table discs are smooth and perforated by 4 central and 4–
body wall 10 peripheral holes with a pillar ending in a crown of spines
that resembles a Maltese cross.
Small C-shaped rods (up to 50 μm)
Reduced tables, a few irregular C-shaped rods (40–100 µm),

Ventral podia rods of 270–470 µm long and perforated plates.
Larger tables, with 55–80 µm discs, large C-shaped rods (up

Dorsal papillae to 70 µm) and irregular rods
189
Stichopus herrmanni
Semper, 1868
Common names: Curryfish, Herrmann's sea cucumber

Holothurie curry
© F. Ducarme
Large brown to red wart-like

papillae surrounded by
circles
© S.W. Purcell
Live form
Dry form
20-40 cm on average
12-18 cm
1 to 2.5 kg From beige to

brown
From greyish yellow, to
different shades of
No cut or just a small
orange, to brown, to
one in the mouth
pale green
Wrinkled dorsal
Large brown to red surface covered with
wart-like papillae small dark bumps
surrounded by circles
190
Similar species
S. vastus S. naso
Stichopus horrens S. pseudohorrens

Spiny rods (60– 850 μm) slightly curved, sometimes with forked and/or
Tentacles perforated extremities
Table discs (25–45 µm) perforated by 4 central and 4–8 peripheral

Dorsal and ventral holes, spire ending in a narrow, often spiny crown, rosettes (25–55 µm),
body wall and C-shaped rods (35–100 µm)
Reduced tables (30–45 µm), large perforated plates with the

Ventral podia middle part often enlarged and perforated, and rods (200–360
µm)
Rods (up to 200 µm), C- or S-shaped ossicles similar in size and

Dorsal papillae shape to those of the body wall, rosettes and tables up to
twice the size of those of the body wall.
191
Stichopus horrens
Selenka, 1868
Common names: Selenka’s sea cucumber

Holothurie hérissée
NB: This species is considered a species

© F. Michonneau - licensed CC-BY Long, conical or wart-like
papillae on the dorsal surface,
mainly in 2 rows + a row of larger
papillae along the lateral
margins of the ventral surface
© S.W. Purcell
Live form
12-23 cm
110 to 200 g Dry form
From grey to beige to 8-12 cm

dark red, dark brown or
In Ecuador: Black
black with different
In Papua New Guinea: From
coloured blotches
brown to brownish black
dorsally
No cut or just a small one in
Thick, conical or wart-like the mouth. Long, conical or
papillae on the dorsal wart-like papillae on the
surface, in 2 rows + a row dorsal surface, in 2 rows + a
of larger papillae along row of larger papillae along
the lateral margins of the the lateral margins of the
ventral surface ventral surface
192
Similar species
Stichopus herrmanni S. monotuberculatus S. naso
Straight to nearly U-shaped rods (60–700

Tentacles µm), some with forked extremities
Numerous tables, discs (25–35 µm), with

a spire ending in a Maltese cross;
Dorsal body wall numerous rosettes (15–30 µm) and a
few C-shaped rods (45–60 µm)
Tables, discs (30–55 μm) and a few C-

Ventral body wall shaped rods (55–85 μm)
Tables (40–120 µm), large perforated

Ventral podia plates, and rods (390–500 µm), some
with huge central perforated process
Papillae at their base: with similar

ossicles to those of the body wall, but
with huge tack like tables at the top
Dorsal papillae (130–155 µm), C-shaped rods (45–80
µm), and rods with a large central
perforated process
193
Common names: Dragonfish

Holothurie à taches noires
Wart-like papillae
Live form
12-20 cm
Dry form
110 to 200 g
Same as S. horrens: grey

to beige background
colour, covered with
dark brown, greenish,
reddish, grey or black
spots, which may form 2
transverse bands
Wart-like papillae
194
Similar species
Stichopus horrens S. naso
Tentacles Rods varying in size, very spiny at the extremities (145–645 μm)
Tables, rosettes and C-shaped ossicles: tables (30–50 µm), rim in

discs is smooth, perforated by 4 central holes and 3–6 peripheral
Dorsal body wall holes; spire ending in a wide spiny crown; rosettes
(20 µm)
Ventral body wall Tables similar to those of the body wall, C-shaped rods (60–70 μm)
Spiny rods (250– 415 μm) with enlarged median process, unevenly
Ventral podia perforated; spiny plates (85–100 µm); tables with rounded yet spiny
discs
Tables (45–70 µm) and rods of various shapes and sizes; the
Dorsal papillae largest ones (135–350 µm) have an enlarged median process.
195
Stichopus naso
Semper, 1868
Common names: Stichopus naso is confused with S. horrens, the

former is traded under the same name as the latter in its distribution
range.
© S.W. Purcell
Very prominent conical

dorsolateral papillae
Live form
Dry form
10-20 cm
100 to 200 g
Yellowish and mottled

brown or solid light
brown dorsal side
Conical dorsolateral
Conical dorsolateral papillae
papillae
196
Similar species
S. monotuberculatus Stichopus horrens
Spiny rods that can bifurcate at

Tentacles the extremities (150–620 µm), as
well as C-shaped rods (25–65 µm)
Tables, rosettes and C-shaped

rods: tables with disc
(approximately 25 µm)
perforated by 4 central and 4–8
Dorsal body wall peripheral holes; spire ending in
a crown of spines resembling a
Maltese cross; C-shaped rods
(60–180 µm)
Similar ossicle assemblage but C-

shaped rods are smaller (60–110
Ventral body wall µm) and rosettes (20–25 µm) are
more abundant.
Tables similar to those of the body

wall, as well as larger ones with
discs perforated by up to 20 holes,
Ventral and dorsal narrow and spiny rods (200–400
podia µm), rosettes and perforated
plates (100–160 µm) with spiny
edges.
197
Stichopus ocellatus
Massin, Zulfigar, Tan Shua Hwai & Rizal Boss, 2002
Common names: Curryfish, Ocellated sea cucumber,

Hanginan (Philippines)
© S.W. Purcell
Large, circular, greenish-grey,

wart-like or ocellated
papillae, white around the
base, distributed in 2x2 rows
Live form © L.B. Concepcion - FAO
Dry form
23 to 29 cm, 33 cm
max.
179 g to 1.3 kg
Yellow or yellowish orange on

the dorsal surface. Whitish
yellow ventral surface
Large, circular, greenish-grey,

wart-like papillae, white
around the base, distributed
in 4 rows
198
Similar species
Stichopus herrmanni S. vastus
Tables (25–40 μm), rosettes (20–40 μm) and C-shaped rods

Dorsal body wall (155–175 μm)
Similar ossicles to those of the dorsal body wall, but with

Ventral body wall smaller C-shaped rods (40–75 μm)
Large perforated plates (140–265 µm), C-shaped rods (55–65

Ventral podia µm), reduced tables (25–50 µm) and rods (230–500 µm), most
of them with large central perforated process
At the base of the Dorsal papillae: rosettes and C-shaped rods

At the top of papillae: C-shaped rods, tables, rosettes, small
Dorsal papillae
rods, perforated plates and curved rods with central
perforated process
199
Cherbonnier, 1967
Common names: Unknown
© IRD - Lagplon
Very long, conical papillae on

the dorsal surface and lateral
margins of the ventral surface
© F. Ducarme
Live form
Dry form
Probably 50 cm
3- 4 kg
From brownish to rosy

red with darker mottling
Very long, conical

papillae on the dorsal
surface and lateral
margins of the ventral
surface
200
Similar species
Stichopus herrmanni Thelenota ananas
Tentacles Spiny curved rods of various size (up to 875 μm)
Tablets, C-shaped rods and rosettes.

2 types of tables: 1) relatively few small ones, discs (50–90
Dorsal body wall
µm), perforated by 4 central and many peripheral holes,
and 2) very large tack-like ones (100 µm), with a spiny spire
Tables, C-shaped rods and rosettes: only one kind of tables,
discs (40–60 µm), undulating rim, perforated by 4 central
Ventral body wall holes and a few peripheral ones; spire ending in a spiny
crown.
Ventral podia and Tables and very large rods, with a medial enlargement that
papillae can be perforated
201
Stichopus vastus
Sluiter, 1887
Common names: Curryfish (Australia), Zebrafish (India)

Holothurie curry brune
Deep transverse wrinkles
© S.W. Purcell
Fine dark lines
surrounding the base of
the large papillae on the
dorsal surface
Clear short papillae

Live form
Large wart-like papillae in 5-6 rows © S.W. Purcell
on the dorsal surface and lateral

margins. Smaller "warts" appear all
over the dorsal surface.
33-35 cm
1 to 1.7 kg
Light brown. Fine dark
From golden yellow to brownish lines surrounding the
to reddish yellow, olive green or base of the large
greyish green. Fine dark lines papillae on the dorsal
surrounding the base of the surface
large papillae on the dorsal
surface
Large wart-like papillae in 5-6 Clear short papillae

rows on the dorsal surface and
lateral margins. Smaller "warts"
appear all over the dorsal
surface. Deep transverse
wrinkles dorsally
202
Similar species
Stichopus herrmanni S. ocellatus
Curved rods with spiny extremities

Tentacles (60–695 μm)
Tables (25–40 μm), rosettes (15–40

μm) and C-shaped rods (40–95
μm)
Dorsal and ventral Tables have smooth, round to

body wall quadrangular discs, perforated by
4 central and 4–10 peripheral
holes; spire ends in a wide Maltese
crown
Tables (30–55 µm) with reduced or

no pillars, rods (250–450 µm) that
Ventral podia can have a very large central
perforated process
Top of Dorsal papillae: large tables

(30–55 µm) with smooth,
quadrangular to ovoid disc,
Dorsal papillae perforated by 4 central and 4–25
peripheral holes; spire ending in a
narrow crown of spines (½ of disc
diameter)
203
Thelenota ananas
(Jaeger, 1833)
Common names: Prickly redfish Holothurie ananas
© Y. Herraud - DORIS
Pointy, conical papillae, often

arranged in a star shape on
the dorsal surface
Live form
45 cm on average, © J. Akamine - FAO
80 cm max. Dry form
2.5 km on average, 20-25 cm

7 max.
From brown to black
Orange-red to brown
dorsally
A cut along the
Pale pink to red ventrally
ventral surface
Pointy, conical
Pointy, conical
papillae, often
papillae, often
arranged in a star
arranged in a star
shape on the dorsal
shape on the dorsal
surface
surface
204
Similar species
Large plates (135 μm

Tentacles long and 95 μm wide),
as well as smaller rods
Dichotomously
branched rods, which
are slightly spiny (40–
Dorsal body wall 80 µm), and countless
miliary granules (1.5–4
µm)
Similar rods to those of

Ventral body wall the Dorsal body wall,
but smooth
Large plates (75–135

μm) and rods similar
Ventral podia to those of the body
wall.
Rods similar to those

of the body wall, as
Dorsal papillae well as slightly curved,
spiny rods (up to 155
µm)
205
Thelenota anax
Clark, 1921
Common names: Amber fish Holothurie géante
Massive trapezoidal morphology
© N. Hobgood – licensed CC BY SA
Numerous wart-like
protrusions in rows on
the dorsal surface
© S.W. Purcell
Live form
Large white papillae
along the lateral
margins
Dry form
55 cm on average, 1 m
max.
3.5 kg on average, 5
15-20 cm
max.
Cream coloured with Brown

orange, red or beige
spots
Massive trapezoidal Small cut across
morphology. Large white mouth or a single
papillae along the lateral ventral cut
margins. Numerous wart-like
protrusions in rows on the
dorsal surface
206
Similar species
Its massive, trapezoidal morphology, combined with the presence of large papillae on its
dorsal surface, allow Thelenota anax to be easily identified

Nodulous,
branching buttons,
Tentacles perforated plates
(80–100 μm)
Dichotomously
branched rods
(70–100 µm),
Dorsal and ventral pseudo-tables and
body wall an infinite number
of miliary granules
(only a few µm)
Rods of various
Ventral podia shapes; branching
rods and turrets
Long rods, which

can be branched
Dorsal papillae and perforated; or
more like plate-like
deposits
207
Massin and Lane, 1991
Common names: Red-lined sea cucumber

Holothurie à lignes rouges
© F. Michonneau - licensed CC-

BY
Large protuberances on
the dorsal surface, with
yellow pointy papillae
at the ends
Live form © L.B. Concepcion - FAO
Dry form
30-50 cm on average
3 kg max.
Light cream colour, Brown

with fine red lines,
more or less tightly
packed Large protuberances
Long protuberances on on the dorsal surface,
the dorsal surface, with with yellow pointy
yellow pointy papillae papillae at the ends
at the ends
208
Similar species
Tentacles Spiny or smooth, straight or curved rods (10–150 µm)
Numerous miliary granules, slender dichotomously branched

spiny rods (90–135 µm) with primary, secondary, tertiary and
Dorsal body wall sometimes quaternary branches; pseudo‑tables (20–25 µm)
with 4–5 short feet which are prolonged by 4–5 long spines
Ventral body wall Dichotomous rods, pseudo-tables and serpent-like granules
Rods, a few pseudo-tables and anastomosing plates

Ventral podia forming the end-plate.
Mostly serpent-like granules (5–20 µm) and a few

Dorsal papillae dichotomous rods
209
Dendrochirotida: Cucumariidae
210
(Semper, 1868)
Common names: Sea cucumber (USA)

Pepino arenero, Ancoco (Mexico and Peru), Meón,
Ancoco blanco (Chili)
Mouth with greenish-black

branched dendritic tentacles
arranged in 2 circles: 5 large
© J.M. Cancino - licensed by CC BY NC outer pairs and 5 small inner
pairs
© C. Guisado - FAO
© C. Maureira - licensed by CC BY NC SA
Live form Dry form
25-30 cm on average 7-10 cm
200-250 g on average
From dark brown
to black
From brown to greyish-
brown to light grey
Cylindrical body,
Mouth with 5 pairs of tapers at both
extremities
greenish-black
branched dendritic
tentacles arranged in 2
circles: 5 large outer
pairs and 5 small inner
pairs
211
Similar species
Tentacles Tentacles of juveniles have rods
Dorsal and ventral A few spiny, perforated rods that are somewhat enlarged
body wall at the extremities
Ventral podia Only an end-plate
212
Cucumaria frondosa frondosa
(Gunnerus, 1767)
z
Common names: Orange-footed sea cucumber, Northern

sea cucumber Concombre de mer du Nord
© V. Maran - DORIS
10 orange retractable
dendritic tentacles (8 large
and 2 small) located around
the mouth
© S.W. Purcell
Live form
Dry form
25-30 cm, 50 cm max.
8-9 cm
500 to 850 g
From greenish brown to dark Dark brown

mauve to orangey red-
brown. It is possible to find
individuals that are Slightly granular surface
completely white
with visible rows of podia
10 orange retractable
dendritic tentacles (8 large
and 2 small) located
around the mouth
213
Similar species
Cucumaria frondosa japonica
Tentacles Rods and plates (120– 350 μm)
Perforated plates of different sizes (200–250 µm), triangular,

Dorsal and ventral quadrangular or subcircular with ragged edges; the surface
body wall of the plates is either smooth or with projections.
Body Wall around Larger, more spiny plates that can have a secondary spiny
the Anus layer (200–400 µm)
Straight, or slightly curved perforated rods (250–300 µm) that

Ventral podia can be smooth or nodulous
214
Cucumaria frondosa japonica
Semper, 1868
Common names: Japanese cucumaria

Black sea cucumber (Canada)
© N. Sanamyan - FAO
5 pairs of dendritic
tentacles around the
mouth which may be
reddish with whitish tips
Live form
© J. Akamine - FAO
20 cm on average, 40 Dry form

cm max.
500 g on average, 1.5-2

kg max.
Dark beige to brown,
Brown to brownish purple to with lighter spots
greyish purple, and in some arranged in 5 rows
regions the animals may be along the body
white
Body tapers around

5 pairs of dendritic tentacles
the anus
around the mouth which
may be reddish with whitish
tips
215
Similar species
Cucumaria frondosa frondosa

Similar in size and shape to those of Cucumaria frondosa frondosa, i.e., irregular
perforated plates with spiny margins in the body wall and tentacles, some
bearing knobs or short spines on their surface.
However, unlike C. frondosa frondosa, it does not have large discoid ossicles
positioned radially near the opening of the cloaca, which, according to
Semper, C. frondosa japonica does have.
216
References
ASHA P.S. 2013. - Holothuria sp. (Type Pentard), a new teat-fish variety from Indian
waters. Marine Fisheries Information Service; Technical and Extension Series, 217: 3.
BRUCKNER A.W, JOHNSON K.A & FIELD J.D. 2003. - Conservation des holothuries: une
inscription aux listes de la CITES pour pérenniser le commerce international? Beche-
de-mer Information Bulletin 18:24-33.
http://coastfish.spc.int/News/BDMVF/LaBDM18/BDM18-VF.pdf
BRUCKNER A.W. (ed) 2006. - The Proceedings of the CITES workshop on the conservation
of sea cucumbers in the families Holothuriidae and Stichopodidae. NOAA Technical
Memorandum , 244 p.
CHERBONNIER G. 1988. - Echinodermes: holothurides, Faune de Madagascar. Paris,

ORSTOM. https://horizon.documentation.ird.fr/exl-doc/pleins_textes/divers12-
05/25111.pdf
CITES 2019. - CoP18 Prop.45 (Rev. 1): Proposition d’inscription des trois espèces
appartenant au sous-genre Holothuria (Microthele): Holothuria (Microthele)
fuscogilva, Holothuria (Microthele) nobilis et Holothuria (Microthele) whitmaei à
l’Annexe II.
CONAND C., PURCELL S.W., GAMBOA R. & TORAL-GRANDA V. 2013. - Holothuria nobilis
and Holothuria whitmaei. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.
https://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2013-1.RLTS.T180326A1615368.en.
CONAND C., POLIDORO B., MERCIER A. GAMBOA R., HAMEL J-F. & PURCELL S.W. 2014.
- The IUCN Red List assessment of aspidochirotid sea cucumbers and its implications.
SPC Beche-de-mer Information Bulletin 34: 3-7.
CONAND C. 1986. - Les ressources halieutiques des pays insulaires du Pacifique.

Deuxième partie: Les Holothuries. F.A.O. Doc. Tech. Pêches, 272.2: 108 p.
CONAND C. 1989. - Les Holothuries Aspidochirotes du lagon de Nouvelle-Calédonie:

biologie, écologie et exploitation. Etudes et Thèses, O.R.S.T.O.M., Paris: 393 p.
CONAND C. 1990. - The fishery resources of Pacific island countries. Part 2:

Holothurians. F.A.O. Fisheries Tech. Paper, 272.2: 143 p.
CONAND C. 1998. – Holothurians, in: CARPENTER K. AND NIEM V. (eds). FAO species
identification guide. The marine living resources of the Western Central Pacific. Vol 2
Cephalopods, Crustaceans, Holothurians and Sharks: 1157–1190.
CONAND C. 2006. - Sea cucumber biology: Taxonomy, distribution, biology,

conservation status, in BRUCKNER A.W. (ed) Proceedings of the CITES workshop on
the conservation of sea cucumbers in the families Holothuriidae and Stichopodidae.
NOAA Technical Memorandum: 33-73.
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CONAND C. 2017. - Les holothuries ressource marine: du mythe à la surexploitation
mondiale. Les Amis du Muséum national d’Histoire naturelle, n°271.
https://www.mnhn.fr/sites/mnhn.fr/files/atoms/files/bulletin_ndeg_271-sept._2017.pdf
DISSANAYAKE D.C.T. & NISHANTHAN G. 2016. - Fresh and Processed Sea Cucumbers of
Sri Lanka-Identification Guide. ISBN 978-955-0263-07-3
DORIS 2020. - Données d'Observations pour la Reconnaissance et l'Identification de la

faune et la flore Subaquatiques. https://doris.ffessm.fr/find/species
DI SIMONE M., CONAND C. & HORELLOU A. 2019. - Towards a CITES listing of teatfish.
SPC Beche-de-mer Information Bulletin 39:76–78.
DI SIMONE M., CONAND C. & HORELLOU A. 2020. - Three species of teatfish to be

protected by CITES. SPC Beche-de-mer Information Bulletin 40:3-4.
FAO 2019. - Report of the Sixth FAO Expert Advisory Panel for the Assessment of
Proposals to Amend Appendices I and II of CITES Concerning Commercially Exploited
Aquatic Species, Rome, 21–25 January 2019. FAO Fisheries and Aquaculture Report
No. 1255. Rome
KHANH L.V., ANH N.T.N. & DINH T.D. 2020. - Investigating Species Compositions of Sea
Cucumbers in Nam Du Island, Kien Giang Province, Vietnam. Oceanography &
Fisheries 11(5): 555825. DOI: 10.19080/OFOAJ.2020.11.555825
https://juniperpublishers.com/ofoaj/pdf/OFOAJ.MS.ID.555825.pdf
LOVATELLI A., CONAND C., PURCELL S.W., UTHICKE, S., HAMEL J.-F. & MERCIER A.
eds. 2004. - Advances in sea cucumber aquaculture and management. FAO Fisheries
Technical Paper No. 463, 425 p.
LOVATELLI A. 2021. - Sea cucumbers are now harvested in more than 80 countries. SPC
Beche-de-mer Information Bulletin 41: 81.
MULOCHAU T. 2018. - Les holothuries d’intérêt commercial du Banc récifal du Geyser

(Îles Eparses - Glorieuses - océan Indien). SPC Beche-de-mer Information Bulletin 38: 3-
8.
PURCELL S.W., SAMYN Y. & CONAND C. 2012. - Commercially important sea cucumbers of
the world. FAO Species Catalogue for Fishery Purposes. No. 6. Rome, FAO. 150 p.
http://www.fao.org/docrep/017/i1918e/i1918e.pdf
PURCELL S.W. 2014. - Processing sea cucumbers into beche-de-mer: A manual for
Pacific Island fishers. Southern Cross University, Lismore, and the Secretariat of the
Pacific Community, Noumea. 44 p.
PURCELL S.W., POLIDORO B.A., HAMEL J.-F., GAMBOA R. & MERCIER A. 2014. - The cost
of being valuable: Predictors of extinction risk in marine invertebrates exploited as
luxury seafood. Proceedings of the Royal Society B–Biological Sciences. DOI:
10.1098/rspb.2013.3296.
PURWATI P., HARTATI R. & WIDIANINGSIH, 2010. - Eighteen sea cucumber species
fished in Karimunjawa Island, Java Sea. Marine Research in Indonesia 35(2):23–30.
218
O’TOOLE M. & SHEA S., 2019. Identifying Sea Cucumbers: Implementing and enforcing
an Appendix II listing of teatfish.
SAMYN Y., VANDENSPIEGEL D. & MASSIN C. 2006. - Taxonomie des holothuries des
Comores, Volume 1, Abc Taxa, 130p.
TORAL-GRANDA V. 2005. - L’identification de l’holothurie des Galápagos Isostichopus

fuscus vendues sur le marché international à partir des spicules calcaires. SPC Beche-
de-mer Information Bulletin 22: 3–5.
TORAL-GRANDA V., LOVATELLI A. AND VASCONCELLOS M. 2008. - Sea cucumbers: A

global review on fishery and trade. FAO Fisheries Technical Paper no. 516. FAO Rome.
319 p.
SETYASTUTI A. & PURWATI P. 2015. - Recensement des espèces d’holothuries pêchées

et transformées en Indonésie. SPC Beche-de-mer Information Bulletin 35: 19-25.
UTHICKE S., BYRNE M. & CONAND C. 2010. - Genetic barcoding of commercial beche-
de-mer species (Echinodermata: Holothuroidea). Molecular Ecology Resources
10(4): 634–646.
WORLDFISH CENTER & CPS 2008. - Holothuries d’intêret commercial du Pacifique

tropical. https://spccfpstore1.blob.core.windows.net/digitallibrary-
docs/files/d0/d00cdd9d335bf340a7ac4187a7ddce51.pdf?sv=2015-12-
11&sr=b&sig=1ZJOesxJ4WYWJDM1%2BNkhIo8XDvCbVv9nBoSVPdQMQ7k%3D&se=202
1-06-05T10%3A10%3A18Z&sp=r&rscc=public%2C%20max-age%3D864000%2C%20max-
stale%3D86400&rsct=application%2Fpdf&rscd=inline%3B%20filename%3D%22Holothur
ies.pdf%22
WoRMS 2022a. Cucumaria frondosa japonica

https://www.marinespecies.org/aphia.php?p=taxdetails&id=241808
WoRMS 2022b. Holothuroidea.

https://www.marinespecies.org/aphia.php?p=taxdetails&id=123083#
219
Glossary
Bêche-de-mer: Term used to refer to the processed product of sea cucumbers

(see also trepang).
Bivium: Dorsal surface of the tegument.
Transverse cut: A cut perpendicular to the main axis of the body.
Dendritic: Branching in an arborescent manner; used to describe the shape of

the tentacles in Dendrochirotida
Anal teeth: Teeth around the anus, whose role is to prevent the entry of
symbionts and parasites into the cloacal cavity of the animal, which needs to
remain open to allow the animal to breathe. Among the commercial species,
those belonging to the genus Actinopyga and the subgenus Holothuria
(Microthele)—with the exception of Holothuria fuscopunctata—have anal
teeth.
Dorsal: Upper surface of the animal.
Juvenile: Animal that has not yet reach sexual maturity.
Lateral: At the side of the body.
Ossicles: Or “spicules”, are microscopic carbonate skeleton particles in the

body wall—tentacles, podia, papillae, and other body parts—useful for species
identification; they come in various shapes.
Papillae: Small lumps on the surface of the body wall.
Peltate: a circular or lobed structure with a stalk in the middle; used to describe
the shape of the end of tentacles in Holothuriida et Synallactida.
Podia (plural of podium) or tube feet: Small organs arranged in rows along the
body, in the form of small, soft, cylindrical, hollow tubes, allowing the
holothurian to adhere to the substrate for movement. In many holothurians, the
Dorsal podia are transformed into papillae of various shapes.
Protuberance: A part of the body that protrudes from the main part of the
body.
Tegument: The outer tissues of the animal, including the cuticle and epidermis
(body wall of the animal).
220
Tentacles: Buccal podia located around the mouth; they serve to collect food
particles.
Trepang: Malaysian name for sea cucumber, also used for the processed
product (see also bêche‑de‑mer).
Trivium: Ventral surface of the body.
Cuvierian tubules: Threads becoming sticky when ejected by certain species,

used as a defence mechanism. Cuvierian tubules are only present in species
of the family Holothuriidae. Some species have these organs but do not expel
them (e.g., species of the genus Actinopyga) or very rarely, such as
Pearsonothuria graeffei.
Ventral: Under surface of the animal.
221
Appendices
222
Appendix 1. The three CITES Appendices
Appendix I Appendix II Appendix III
 Endangered species  Vulnerable species  Nationally protected

threatened by trade species
 International trade
prohibited (except  Monitored/regulated  Monitoring at the
for exemptions: pre- trade request of a country
Convention for its population
specimen, trophy,  CITES permit required
personal effects,  CITES permit required
approved breeding
(source D), zoos,
approved nurseries)
 CITES permit required
223
Appendix 2. The Different Types of Ossicles in Sea
Cucumbers
Ossicles can be found in different parts of the body. The calcareous ossicles,
which are hidden in the body wall (mainly in the dermis), papillae, podia and
tentacles, are mostly just one twentieth to one tenth of a millimetre in length
(Purcell et al. 2012). These spicules can have different shapes (Figure 5) and are
present in both larvae and adults (Toral-Granda 2005). The spicules remain
intact (unchanged in shape and size) whether the animal is fresh or dried (Toral-
Granda 2005). Spicules differ between holothurian families (Table 1,
Cherbonnier 1988) and can thus allow species identification when that is not
possible with their morphological traits alone.
Table 1. Different types of spicules in Holothuriidae and Stichopodidae
Family of Sea Types of spicules

Cucumbers
Holothuriidae Towers, simple or nodulous buttons, sometimes
transformed into hollow fenestrated ellipsoids, rods, never
C- or S-shaped elements
Stichopodidae Turrets, branching rods, pseudo-buttons, with (but
sometimes without) many C- or S-shaped bodies
Figure 5. Diagram
of the different
types of spicules
(Source: Conand
1998)
224
Appendix 3. Identification key for the three CITES-listed
species of sea cucumbers
The highly commercialized teatfish are easily distinguishable from other sea
cucumber species (CITES 2019 ; Di Simone et al. specially thanks to the two
characteristics specific to these species:
The presence of lateral In their dried form, usually a single

protuberances (5 to 10) in the form of incision on the upper side, along the
"teats" on each side of the body dorsal surface
© F. Ducarme
© R. Ram
Other species may have spine-like When dried for export, sea cucumbers are
protuberances but are easily prepared differently from other sea
differentiated from those of teatfish, which cucumber species (O’Toole & Shea 2019)
are thinner and more rounded. In
addition, the protuberances are only
found along the lower margin in the
teatfish, not over the entire body as in
other species (O’Toole & Shea 2019).
Although their protuberances are visible in both their live and dried forms, the
three species of teatfish are difficult to differentiate in their dried form (FAO
2019).
The species Holothuria whitmaei was for a long time mistaken due to its "form"
for H. nobilis in the Pacific; the species were separated in 2004. Holothuria
fuscogilva was also considered the same species as H. nobilis until 1980
(Cherbonnier). Their morphology is identical but their colour is different.
225
A simple guide for identifying
harvested and exploited sea
cucumbers
© F. Ducarme
, France
226

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IDENTIFICATION GUIDE

Commercial Sea Cucumbers

Marie Di Simone, Arnaud Horellou,

A joint service of the Office français de la biodiversité,

Visit the INPN website: https://inpn.mnhn.fr/

Cover photo: Holothuria nobilis (Selenka, 1867) – © Philippe Bourjon

Project Name: Identification guide – Commercialised Sea Cucumbers

Project Managers: Marie Di Simone, Arnaud Horellou

Photo credits: DORIS https://doris.ffessm.fr/; FAO; Institut de recherche pour le

Creative Commons licenses:

This document was made possible thanks to funding provided by PatriNat.

The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna

Sea Cucumber Trade

Holothuria, commonly known as sea cucumbers, are traded in more than 70

The problem of sea cucumbers

In 1974, the Pacific Community (SPC) published the handbook “Bêche-de-mer

Sea Cucumbers and CITES

377 species of sea cucumbers were assessed in Colombia in 2010, sponsored

It was at the eighteenth Conference of the Parties to CITES (CoP18) in Geneva,

This user-friendly identification guide features 562 species of sea cucumbers—

they are not included in this guide.

This guide is therefore intended to be completed at a later stage:

 Due to the depletion of highly valuable species, the number of harvested

Sea cucumbers belong to the class Holothuroidea in the phylum Echinoderms.

Sea cucumbers have an elongated body (Figure 1), characterised by ventral

bivium = dorsal surface

Figure 1. External anatomy of a sea cucumber (Holothuriida in this case)

In Dendrochirotida, tentacles are dendritic* (branching in an arborescent

Sea cucumber tentacles are very retractile.

Figure 2. Different types of tentacles (Conand 1998)

The morphological classification of sea cucumbers is based on the presence

Also called spicules, ossicles are characteristic of sea cucumbers and of

Different orders of sea cucumbers

Figure 3. Orders and families of sea cucumbers involved in the trade.

Holothuriida (formerly Aspidochirotida)

Podia forms a well-defined

NB: Some species of this order present Cuvierian tubules* and/or

Massive sea cucumbers, often

Ventral mouth and

Numerous podia Thick body wall,

Slightly elongated shape

Elongated body (worm

NB: All species in this order are abyssal.

Order Family Species

 Scientific name and common name(s) of the species

Scientific name, author and year Geographical distribution

Size of the species

Key element for identification

Included in CITES or not?

The species is listed in CITES Appendix I, II or III: trading of

High Medium Low

Size (live form)

Small Medium Large

Species that ejects its

There are no obvious macroscopic morphological features that distinguish the

Contrary to fresh specimens, dried sea cucumbers may be in a poor state of

Figure 4. Examples of good

What are the key pages for?

The identification process consists of observing the characteristics of an adult