Rafi Amar, Israel
Info
Stichopus herrmanni Semper, 1868
Stichopus herrmanni is a large sea cucumber that grows up to 50 cm long. The body is cylindrical with a flat sole. The body wall is rough and wrinkled, without large swellings, but with orange-brown papillae (conical fleshy elevations). The mouth is surrounded by eight to sixteen feeding tentacles and the sole bears short tube feet. Color is variable, with some areas grayish brown, greenish brown, or sandy brown, while others are mustard yellow, orange-brown, or green and brown.
Stichopus herrmanni is found in the tropical Indo-West Pacific. The sea cucumber lives near shore at depths of 0-20 m. Sometimes in coral reefs, but prefers seagrass beds, rubble, and sandy-muddy bottoms. Juveniles settle in shallow areas of the reef and later move on.
The Hermann's sea cucumber feeds on zoobenthos, detritus, and organic debris on the seafloor.
The sea cucumber is home to the pearlfish species Carapus mourlani and Carapus homei.
Stichopus herrmanni is commercially fished in Indonesia and northern Australia. There, the sea cucumber is known as "curry fish." However, this name covers several species, namely S. herrmanni, Stichopus vastus and Stichopus ocellatus. In the trade, all 3 species are grouped under this term.
In the past, Stichopus herrmanni was not caught for human consumption because the meat decomposes easily. However, modern processing methods allow for better handling and the sea cucumber has now become a high quality product. In Queensland, a minimum length of 35 cm applies to the catch.
In addition, in Malaysia, the body fluid of Stichopus herrmanni is used to produce "air gamat," a local health tonic that is said to help cure diseases.
The heavy exploitation of Stichopus herrmanni by humans has led to a sharp decline in the population and thus to its classification as "VU endangered".
Synonymx:
Stichopus variegatus hermanni Semper, 1868
Stichopus variegatus var. herrmanni Semper, 1868
Stichopus herrmanni is a large sea cucumber that grows up to 50 cm long. The body is cylindrical with a flat sole. The body wall is rough and wrinkled, without large swellings, but with orange-brown papillae (conical fleshy elevations). The mouth is surrounded by eight to sixteen feeding tentacles and the sole bears short tube feet. Color is variable, with some areas grayish brown, greenish brown, or sandy brown, while others are mustard yellow, orange-brown, or green and brown.
Stichopus herrmanni is found in the tropical Indo-West Pacific. The sea cucumber lives near shore at depths of 0-20 m. Sometimes in coral reefs, but prefers seagrass beds, rubble, and sandy-muddy bottoms. Juveniles settle in shallow areas of the reef and later move on.
The Hermann's sea cucumber feeds on zoobenthos, detritus, and organic debris on the seafloor.
The sea cucumber is home to the pearlfish species Carapus mourlani and Carapus homei.
Stichopus herrmanni is commercially fished in Indonesia and northern Australia. There, the sea cucumber is known as "curry fish." However, this name covers several species, namely S. herrmanni, Stichopus vastus and Stichopus ocellatus. In the trade, all 3 species are grouped under this term.
In the past, Stichopus herrmanni was not caught for human consumption because the meat decomposes easily. However, modern processing methods allow for better handling and the sea cucumber has now become a high quality product. In Queensland, a minimum length of 35 cm applies to the catch.
In addition, in Malaysia, the body fluid of Stichopus herrmanni is used to produce "air gamat," a local health tonic that is said to help cure diseases.
The heavy exploitation of Stichopus herrmanni by humans has led to a sharp decline in the population and thus to its classification as "VU endangered".
Synonymx:
Stichopus variegatus hermanni Semper, 1868
Stichopus variegatus var. herrmanni Semper, 1868
