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.
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