White teatfish (Holothuria fuscogilva)
Key facts
- Scientific name
- Holothuria fuscogilva
- Common name
- White teatfish
- Category
- Echinoderms
- Family
- Holothuriidae
- Genus
- Holothuria
- Size
- 40–60 cm
- Depth
- 1–70 m
- IUCN status
- Endangered (EN)
- Danger level
- Harmless
- Habitats
- sand, seagrass, coral-reef
- Behaviours
- benthic, slow-mover
- Ocean zones
- Asian Pacific, East Atlantic, Indian Ocean & Red Sea, Mediterranean
Description
Holothuria fuscogilva reaches 60 cm and 6 kg. Large sea cucumber with thick cylindrical light beige to yellow-brown body with diffuse dark brown-black spots, paler belly, surface provided with characteristic lateral tubules (teats, hence teatfish). Lives from 1 to 70 m on seagrass, sand and coral reefs of Indo-Pacific. One of the prime targets of international beche-de-mer trade (Asian) due to thick flesh. Listed EN (Endangered) by IUCN following severe global overfishing. CITES protected.
Photo of White teatfish
Frequently asked questions
- How big is the White teatfish?
- White teatfish (Holothuria fuscogilva) reaches 40–60 cm in length.
- At what depth can you find the White teatfish?
- White teatfish is found between 1–70 m deep.
- Is the White teatfish dangerous to divers?
- Danger level: Harmless.
- What is the conservation status of the White teatfish?
- IUCN status: Endangered (EN).
- Where can you find the White teatfish?
- Found in: Asian Pacific, East Atlantic, Indian Ocean & Red Sea, Mediterranean.
Other species in the genus Holothuria
- Holothuria tubulosa - Tubular sea cucumber
- Holothuria forskali - Cotton-spinner
- Holothuria atra - Black sea cucumber
- Holothuria edulis - Pink sea cucumber
- Holothuria sanctori - Brown sea cucumber
- Holothuria poli - Poli's sea cucumber
Other species in the family Holothuriidae
Sources
- Taxonomy: WoRMS (AphiaID 732234)
- Photos: iNaturalist (CC BY-NC)
- Distribution: GBIF (taxonKey 4342926)
- Conservation: IUCN Red List
- Encyclopedia: Wikipedia