# Sea Cucumber (*Holothuria edulis*)

> The edible sea cucumber (Holothuria edulis) is a soft-bodied echinoderm that vacuums sandy reef flats in the Indo-Pacific. Adults reach 30 cm, recycle sediment, and are listed Least Concern.

- **Category:** Invertebrate
- **Conservation status (IUCN):** Least Concern
- **Range:** Indo-Pacific reefs and sand flats.
- **Canonical page:** https://globalanimalguide.org/animals/sea-cucumber/
- **Last reviewed:** 2026-07-16

## Scientific classification

- **Kingdom:** Animalia
- **Phylum:** Echinodermata
- **Class:** Holothuroidea
- **Order:** Holothuriida
- **Family:** Holothuriidae
- **Genus:** Holothuria

## Facts at a glance

| Attribute | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Scientific name | Holothuria edulis |
| Diet | Detritivore |
| Habitat | Reef flats and sandy bottoms |
| Lifespan | 5–10 years |
| Weight | 0.3–0.8 kg |
| Top speed | up to 2 km/h |
| Conservation status | Least Concern (IUCN) |

## Living sand conveyor

Leathery bodies lack armour; tentacles around the mouth shovel sediment to extract organic film. Some species eject sticky threads or organs when threatened.

## Detritus and reef recycling

Sediment processing releases nutrients back to the ecosystem. In aquaculture ponds they improve water quality similarly.

## Indo-Pacific reefs and flats

Holothuria edulis ranges from East Africa to Polynesia on reef flats and sand patches. Daytime hiding under rubble is common.

## Beche-de-mer pressure

Least Concern for this species, but global sea-cucumber fisheries have crashed others. Dried beche-de-mer trade drives overharvest in many regions.

## Frequently asked questions

### Are sea cucumbers animals or plants?

Animals — they are echinoderms related to sea stars and urchins.

### What happens when a sea cucumber is stressed?

Some eject sticky Cuvierian tubules or expel organs to distract predators, then regenerate.

### Why are sea cucumbers harvested?

Dried beche-de-mer is a luxury food in East Asia, driving intensive fisheries.

### What do sea cucumbers eat?

Organic film and detritus sifted from sand and mud with oral tentacles.

### Do sea cucumbers have brains?

They have a simple nerve ring — enough to coordinate movement and feeding.

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Source: Global Animal Guide (https://globalanimalguide.org/animals/sea-cucumber/). Licensed CC BY-NC 4.0 — free for non-commercial reuse with attribution.