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Black Teatfish

Black Teatfish

Holothuria nobilis

Protected Status

ESA Candidate
Throughout Its Range
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

ESA Candidate

  • Throughout Its Range

CITES Appendix II

  • Throughout Its Range

Scientific Classification

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

In the Spotlight

Management Overview

NOAA Fisheries initiated a status review of this species in August 2020. This status review will be used to determine whether listing the black teatfish as a threatened or endangered species under the Endangered Species Act is warranted. During this time, the black teatfish is considered a candidate species under the ESA.

Key Actions and Documents

Actions & Documents Incidental Take

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

We, NOAA Fisheries, announce a 90-day finding on a petition to list the black teatfish (Holothuria nobilis) as threatened or endangered under the Endangered Species Act (ESA). We find that the petition presents substantial scientific or commercial…
Notice
,
National
Published

Science Overview