Stichopodidae Sea Cucumbers have a squarish cross-section, are flat on the underside, and many members of this family are edible and harvested for restaurants. These sea cucumbers often have prominent, thick, cone-shaped projections on the body, and are found on sand or rubble close the reef edge.
The mouth of a Stichopodidae Sea Cucumbers is surrounded by 20 flat, circular tentacles with the stalk attached to the center of the lower surface, which defines the members of this family.
The Greenfish Sea Cucumber has a very dark black-green, square body. There are large, orange-tipped papillae (fleshy growths) running along the edges of the body square, and smaller growths on the sides of the body.
The Greenfish Sea Cucumber grows to 35 cm, but more usually observed around 15 cm, and can be found in sandy, rocky and rubble bottoms close to coral rich areas.
Herrmann's Sea Cucumber
(Stichopus herrmanni)
Herrmann's Sea Cucumber has a variable sandy brown to grey-green-brown colour, many small bumps and orange-brown thorns on the body (papillae). The body is generally cylindrical, but with a flat underside. The mouth has 8 - 16 feeding tentacles, and movement is aided many short tube feet on the underside.
Herrmann's Sea Cucumber grows to 50 cm, but more often observed 20 cm - 30 cm and can be found over sand and rubble areas around Koh Haa, generally a short distance from rich coral areas.
The Pineapple Sea Cucumber has a brownish to reddish body with many papillae (fleshy body outgrowths), some short, and others long and branched, often in clumps.
The body is generally roundish, with many papillae and tube-like feet along the lower edges.
The Pineapple Sea Cucumber grows to 70 cm, but most usually observed 30 cm - 40 cm around sand and rubble bottom close to coral rich areas.
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Allen, G., Steene, R., Humann, P., DeLoach, N. (2003) Reef Fish Identification, Tropical Pacific. Jacksonville, FL., USA: New World Publications, Inc., ISBN 1-878348-36-1.
