Skip to main content
Unsupported Browser Detected

Internet Explorer lacks support for the features of this website. For the best experience, please use a modern browser such as Chrome, Firefox, or Edge.

Black Teatfish

Black Teatfish

Holothuria nobilis

Protected Status

CITES Appendix II
Throughout Its Range

Quick Facts

Region
Foreign
See Regulatory Actions

About the Species

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.

Protected Status

CITES Appendix II

  • Throughout Its Range

Scientific Classification

Kingdom Animalia
Phylum Echinodermata
Class Holothuroidea
Order Aspidochirotida
Family Holothuriidae
Genus Holothuria
Species nobilis

Last updated by NOAA Fisheries on 12/01/2021

Last updated by NOAA Fisheries on 12/01/2021

Last updated by NOAA Fisheries on 12/01/2021

In the Spotlight

Last updated by NOAA Fisheries on 12/01/2021

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

Actions & Documents

12-Month Finding on a Petition to List the Black Teatfish as Threatened or Endangered under the Endangered Species Act

We, NOAA Fisheries, have completed a comprehensive status review under the Endangered Species Act (ESA) for the black teatfish (Holothuria nobilis). After reviewing the best scientific and commercial data available, including the H. nobilis Status…
Notice
,
National
Published

Last updated by NOAA Fisheries on 12/01/2021

Science Overview

Last updated by NOAA Fisheries on 12/01/2021

Documents

Document

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…

International
More Documents

Last updated by NOAA Fisheries on 12/01/2021