Black Teatfish
Holothuria nobilis
Protection Status
Quick Facts
![Black sea cucumber with white spots sitting on rocky ocean bottom.](/s3/styles/full_width/s3/2022-08/black-teatfish-750x500.jpg?itok=idy1_vey)
Holothuria nobilis observed near Réunion Island in the Indian Ocean. Credit: thierrycordenos/iNaturalist
About the Species
![Black sea cucumber with white spots sitting on rocky ocean bottom.](/s3/styles/full_width/s3/2022-08/black-teatfish-750x500.jpg?itok=idy1_vey)
Holothuria nobilis observed near Réunion Island in the Indian Ocean. Credit: thierrycordenos/iNaturalist
The black teatfish is a species of sea cucumber that occurs in coral reef habitats in the Indian Ocean, and is most commonly found in reef flats and outer reef slopes with a preference for hard substrates. Teatfish are non-migratory and relatively sedentary, with slow growth rates and longevity estimated at several decades.
Large numbers of sea cucumbers are traded internationally each year, and the black teatfish is one of the most highly valued sea cucumber species in the Indo-Pacific region. It is sold dried and processed as “beche-de-mer” primarily to luxury food markets in Hong Kong, Singapore, Taiwan, China, Korea and Malaysia.
Scientific Classification
Kingdom | Animalia | Phylum | Echinodermata | Class | Holothuroidea | Order | Aspidochirotida | Family | Holothuriidae | Genus | Holothuria | Species | nobilis |
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Last updated by NOAA Fisheries on 08/30/2022
Featured News
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Management Overview
In December 2021, NOAA Fisheries determined that the black teatfish does not warrant listing under the Endangered Species Act.
Key Actions and Documents
Last updated by NOAA Fisheries on 08/30/2022
Documents
Endangered Species Act Status Review Report: Black Teatfish (Holothuria nobilis)
This report is the status review for the black teatfish. This report summarizes the best available…
Proceedings of the CITES Workshop on the Conservation of Sea Cucumbers in the Families Holothuridae and Stichopodidae, Kuala Lumpur Malaysia
NOAA Technical Memorandum NMFS-OPR-34 Workshop Date: 1-3 March 2004
Last updated by NOAA Fisheries on 08/30/2022