Chalky CucumberBohadschia marmorata
Category
- Seagrass
Description
Bohadschia marmorata is a sea cucumber from the class Holothuroidea and family of Holothuriidae. Common names include Brown sandfish and Chalky cucumber. It is cylindrical in shape and can reach 35 centimeters. Its body and skin is tough and leathery and is brownish yellow to cream coloured with light to dark brown spots or patches on its upper surface[1]. The anterior part of the body is narrow, and the posterior end is rounded.
[1] ‘Colour, Confusion, and Crossing: Resolution of Species Problems in Bohadschia (Echinodermata: Holothuroidea) | Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society | Oxford Academic’.
Habitat and ecology
This sea cucumber is present across the Indo-Pacific region. Recorded depth range is between 0 to 60m. It is found near coral reefs, seagrass meadows, sandy bottoms and in some areas, it can be found in deeper waters. It burrows itself and comes out at night or on cloudy days. It feeds on dead matter[1]. Spawning has been observed in the months of March and April[2].
Conservation and management
This species is categorized under the ‘Data Deficient’ category of the IUCN Red List[3]. It is collected commercially, and population trend is decreasing. It is part of collect management plans and occurs in MPAs.
