Prickly redfish (Thelenota ananas)
Key facts
- Scientific name
- Thelenota ananas
- Common name
- Prickly redfish
- Category
- Echinoderms
- Family
- Stichopodidae
- Genus
- Thelenota
- Size
- 40–80 cm
- Depth
- 1–50 m
- IUCN status
- Endangered (EN)
- Danger level
- Harmless
- Habitats
- coral-reef, sand
- Behaviours
- benthic, slow-mover
- Ocean zones
- Asian Pacific, Indian Ocean & Red Sea
Description
Thelenota ananas reaches 80 cm. Large imposing sea cucumber with thick cylindrical bright orange to red-brown body covered with large pointed conical outgrowths (papillae) giving characteristic pineapple appearance (hence name). Lives from 1 to 50 m on coral reefs and sands of entire Indo-Pacific. Listed EN (Endangered) by IUCN following massive commercial overfishing for Asian market (high-value beche-de-mer). Iconic photo subject in tropical diving but increasingly rare in heavily fished areas.
Frequently asked questions
- How big is the Prickly redfish?
- Prickly redfish (Thelenota ananas) reaches 40–80 cm in length.
- At what depth can you find the Prickly redfish?
- Prickly redfish is found between 1–50 m deep.
- Is the Prickly redfish dangerous to divers?
- Danger level: Harmless.
- What is the conservation status of the Prickly redfish?
- IUCN status: Endangered (EN).
- Where can you find the Prickly redfish?
- Found in: Asian Pacific, Indian Ocean & Red Sea.
Other species in the family Stichopodidae
Sources
- Taxonomy: WoRMS (AphiaID 210916)
- Photos: iNaturalist (CC BY-NC)
- Distribution: GBIF (taxonKey 4343232)
- Conservation: IUCN Red List
- Encyclopedia: Wikipedia