Edible Sea Cucumber - Oceana

Marine Life Encyclopedia

Corals and Other Invertebrates

Edible Sea Cucumber

Holothuria edulis

Distribution

Tropical to warm temperate latitudes of the Indo-Pacific Oceans

eCOSYSTEM/HABITAT

Coral reefs and seagrass beds and surrounding sandy areas

FEEDING HABITS

Scavenger

TAXONOMY

Class Holothuroidea (sea cucmbers), Family Holothuriidae (fleshy sea cucumbers)

 

Like most sea cucumbers, the edible sea cucumber is a scavenger. It crawls along soft bottoms near coral reefs and seagrass beds ingesting sand and mud in its path. It separates out and digests any plant or animal matter and passes the sand, leaving a trail of clean sand behind. The edible sea cucumber feeds throughout the day and night, resting occasionally.

This species reproduces through a behavior known as broadcast spawning, where females release eggs and males release sperm into the water column at the same time. This method increases the likelihood that eggs will become successfully fertilized and that fertilized eggs will not be eaten by egg predators on the reef surface.

Though considered a fisheries species, populations of edible sea cucumbers are generally considered stable, and scientists believe the species to be one of least concern.

Engage Youth with Sailors for the Sea

Oceana joined forces with Sailors for the Sea, an ocean conservation organization dedicated to educating and engaging the world’s boating community. Sailors for the Sea developed the KELP (Kids Environmental Lesson Plans) program to create the next generation of ocean stewards. Click here or below to download hands-on marine science activities for kids.

Kids Environmental Lesson Plans

Additional Resources:

IUCN Red List

 

Get Involved

Donate Today

SUPPORT OUR WORK TO PROTECT THE OCEANS BY GIVING TODAY

With the support of more than 1 million activists like you, we have already protected nearly 4 million square miles of ocean.

TAKE ACTION NOW

Support policy change for the oceans

Decision-makers need to hear from ocean lovers like you. Make your voice heard!

VISIT OUR ADOPTION CENTER

SYMBOLICALLY ADOPT AN ANIMAL TODAY

Visit our online store to see all the ocean animals you can symbolically adopt, either for yourself or as a gift for someone else.

DOWNLOAD OCEAN ACTIVITIES

HELP KIDS DISCOVER OUR BLUE PLANET

Our free KELP (Kids Environmental Lesson Plans) empower children to learn about and protect our oceans!