Sea Cucumber Profiles

Order: Dendrochirotida

Family: Cucumariidae

Genus: Paracucumaria & Pseudocolochirus (a.k.a. Sea Apples)

These cucumbers should be avoided unless an appropriate environment can be provided, because Genus Pseudocolochirus are among the most poisonous of all sea cucumbers!

Family: Synaptidae*

Genera: Synapta or Euapta, Ophiodesoma & Polyplectana

Genus: Synapta or Euapta, Ophiodesoma, & Polyplectana (a.k.a. Medusa or Sea Worms).

Members of the family Synaptidae are serpentine sea cucumbers that have extremely thin body walls and lack tube feet. Falling into the #1 feeding category, they use their oral tentacles to gather food particles from the substrate, furling and unfurling to a slow rhythm when bringing food to their mouth. These animals are usually nocturnal, and the light sensitive organs at the base of their tentacles sense the approach of potential predators, contracting quickly when disturbed. Fascinating and fun to watch, they are...

Class: Holothuroidea

Order: Aspidichirotida

Family: Holothuriidae

Genera: Actinopyga, Bohadschia, Holothuria & Labidodemus (a.k.a. Common Cucumbers)

One of the largest groups, members of the family Holothuriidae are probably the most common sea cucumbers found for sale as reef janitors.

Class: Holothuroidea

Order: Aspidichirotida

Family: Stichopodidae

Genus: Parastichopus/Stichopus (a.k.a. Warty Cucumbers

Members of the family Stichopodidae are mostly warty or lumpy, square or tapezoidal shaped in cross-section, and the majority (those of the genus Stichopus) have tube feet in rows on their flat undersides. They do not eject the sticky threads that members of the family Holothuriidae do, but if handled roughly they may eject their internal organs. Members of the genus Stichopus also have an unusual defense mechanism where they can...