survey of the shallow-water sea cucumbers of the central philippines

Black Sea Cucumber
Holothuria atra
This is the most common sea cucumber throughout much of its range. It grows to about 20 cm in
length and is usually found exposed day and night in shallow water, on reef flats and in seagrass,
on bare sediment. It is often covered by a thin layer of sand with patches of exposed dorsum
arranged in two rows. It is the only sea cucumber that when vigorously rubbed releases a winecoloured
exudate. Another morph, possibly another species, is found in deeper water.
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