Greenfish sea cucumber (Stichopus chloronotus)
Key facts
- Scientific name
- Stichopus chloronotus
- Common name
- Greenfish sea cucumber
- Category
- Echinoderms
- Family
- Stichopodidae
- Genus
- Stichopus
- Size
- 20–40 cm
- Depth
- 1–30 m
- IUCN status
- Least concern (LC)
- Danger level
- Harmless
- Habitats
- coral-reef, sand
- Behaviours
- benthic, slow-mover
- Ocean zones
- Asian Pacific, Indian Ocean & Red Sea
Description
Stichopus chloronotus reaches 40 cm. Sea cucumber with characteristic square-section body, uniform dark green-black (hence chloronotus), covered with pointed conical protuberances aligned on edges. Emits defensive Cuvier tubes. Lives from 1 to 30 m on coral reefs and sands of entire Indo-Pacific. Feeds on sedimentary organic matter. Listed LC. Reproduces by transverse fission. Common on reef slopes. Remarkable photo subject for unexpected geometric shape and color.
Photo of Greenfish sea cucumber
Frequently asked questions
- How big is the Greenfish sea cucumber?
- Greenfish sea cucumber (Stichopus chloronotus) reaches 20–40 cm in length.
- At what depth can you find the Greenfish sea cucumber?
- Greenfish sea cucumber is found between 1–30 m deep.
- Is the Greenfish sea cucumber dangerous to divers?
- Danger level: Harmless.
- What is the conservation status of the Greenfish sea cucumber?
- IUCN status: Least concern (LC).
- Where can you find the Greenfish sea cucumber?
- Found in: Asian Pacific, Indian Ocean & Red Sea.
Other species in the genus Stichopus
Other species in the family Stichopodidae
Sources
- Taxonomy: WoRMS (AphiaID 149789)
- Photos: iNaturalist (CC BY-NC)
- Distribution: GBIF (taxonKey 4343242)
- Conservation: IUCN Red List
- Encyclopedia: Wikipedia