Stichopus herrmanni
Semper, 1868
Enter the name for this tabbed section: Description
Stichopus herrmanni is one of the very large sea cucumber in the region. Like all Stichopodidae, its section is more rectangular than circular. The coloration is extremely variable, from sandy color to nearly all green-black. Large specimen reach easily 40 cm in length.
The extreme and yet distinct differences in coloration (clearly homogenous dark/black) and mottled brown-beige suggest perhaps the presence of a second species. This needs to be assessed by genetic and spicule morphology.
The extreme and yet distinct differences in coloration (clearly homogenous dark/black) and mottled brown-beige suggest perhaps the presence of a second species. This needs to be assessed by genetic and spicule morphology.
Enter the name for this tabbed section: Distribution
In Oman, Stichopus cf. herrmanni, is common ,although variably so. Elsewhere, the species is overfished and stocks have been reduced by 60-90% in at least 50% of its range which extend from the Red Sea to the Western Indo-Pacific.
Enter the name for this tabbed section: Ecology and Biology
This is one of the typical coral reef species, particularly in the Gulf of Oman where it is often the dominant species in shallow water. Contrary to species such as H. atra or A. leucospilota which stay on the sediment during the day, Stichopus tends to hide during the day, partially hidden in overhangs and cavities of the reef. Small specimens (< 15 cm) are rare, suggesting that this species perhaps lives within the reef until it reaches a "safe" size.
It has a vulnerable status on the IUCN red list because of its tendency to disappear under even low level of fisheries.
It has a vulnerable status on the IUCN red list because of its tendency to disappear under even low level of fisheries.