Holothuria (Metriatyla) scabra
Jaeger, 1833
Enter the name for this tabbed section: Description
Holothuria scabra is a large sea cucumber with a distinctive coloration pattern: the dorsal bivium is dark with linear white markings and characteristics transverse wrinkles whereas the trivium is much paler. So far, this species has only been observed in Mahout bay and between Masirah Island and the mainland. It is typically associated with sea grass meadows, and can buried itself to avoid being transported by current or detected by predators.
This species has a high commercial values in the Far East and has thus been the object of intense fisheries across its range, including in Oman where it became rare in the years 2000s. It is also grown in aquaculture in various places.
This species has a high commercial values in the Far East and has thus been the object of intense fisheries across its range, including in Oman where it became rare in the years 2000s. It is also grown in aquaculture in various places.
Enter the name for this tabbed section: Distribution
Holothuria scabra is now a rare species in Oman with a restricted range. Although it has a widespread distribution throughout the Indo-Pacific, it is now an uncommon species, due to overfishing.
Enter the name for this tabbed section: Ecology and Biology
Holothuria scabra, a.k.a. sandfish is a widespread species on soft sediments throughout the Indo-pacific, Its commercial value is high, reaching often more than 100$ per kg of "trepang" of dried, processed sea-cucumber.
Aquaculture of this species is sometimes called sea ranching. Larvae and juveniles are reared in hatcheries but then released into the wild for a grow out phase. Adult are collected 1-3 years later when they reach commercial size (25-35 cm).
In Oman, there was a vibrant fisheries near Mahout island in the early year 2000. Uncontrolled fishing led to a rapid decrease in the abundance of this species which is now rare throughout its limited range in Oman.
Because of this high sensitivity to fishing throughout its natural geographical range, it is considered as endangered by the IUCN (IUCN 3.1).
Aquaculture of this species is sometimes called sea ranching. Larvae and juveniles are reared in hatcheries but then released into the wild for a grow out phase. Adult are collected 1-3 years later when they reach commercial size (25-35 cm).
In Oman, there was a vibrant fisheries near Mahout island in the early year 2000. Uncontrolled fishing led to a rapid decrease in the abundance of this species which is now rare throughout its limited range in Oman.
Because of this high sensitivity to fishing throughout its natural geographical range, it is considered as endangered by the IUCN (IUCN 3.1).