Sea Cucumbers in the Family Holothuriidae

One of the largest groups, members of the family Holothuriidae are the most common sea cucumbers found for sale as reef janitors. They typically have thick, muscular bodies equipped with tube feet used for clinging to the substrate and moving about, and pointed fleshy projections (papillae) often cover the body. With some species falling into the #1 feeding category, most are #2 type feeders, which makes these good sand sifting animals. Many cucumbers in this group may eject quantities of sticky filamentous threads (Cuvierian tubules) or expel their internal organs to defend themselves, and some can grow quite large.