Black Teatfish

Black Teatfish

Holothuria nobilis

Protected Status

CITES Appendix II
Throughout Its Range

Quick Facts

Region
Foreign
Black sea cucumber with white spots sitting on rocky ocean bottom. Holothuria nobilis observed near Réunion Island in the Indian Ocean. Credit: thierrycordenos/iNaturalist

Holothuria nobilis observed near Réunion Island in the Indian Ocean. Credit: thierrycordenos/iNaturalist

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.

Scientific Classification

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

Last updated by NOAA Fisheries on 08/30/2022

Featured News

A photo of several of the species at risk: Acanthurus achilles, Caranx melampygus, Tripneustes gratilla, Acanthurus triostegus, Scarus rubroviolaceus, Cephalopholis argus, Octopus cyanea, Lutjanus kasmira, Panulirus penicillatus, Triaenodon obesus, Selar crumenophthalmus, Ctenochaetus strigosus, Naso unicornis, Zebrasoma flavescens, Tridacna maxima. Fifteen of the 83 species included in the Pacific Islands vulnerability assessment. From left to right: Acanthurus achilles, Caranx melampygus, Tripneustes gratilla, Acanthurus triostegus, Scarus rubroviolaceus, Cephalopholis argus, Octopus cyanea, Lutjanus kasmira, Panulirus penicillatus, Triaenodon obesus, Selar crumenophthalmus, Ctenochaetus strigosus, Naso unicornis, Zebrasoma flavescens, Tridacna maxima. Photo credit: Bruce Mundy.
Feature Story

Examining Marine Life Vulnerability to Climate Change

Pacific Islands
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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

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 08/30/2022

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 08/30/2022