Common name: Tiger-Tail Sea Cucumber

Scientific name: Holothuria hilla Lesson, 1830

General information

The Hawaiian Feather Starfish, scientifically known as Holothuria hilla, is a species of sea cucumber found in tropical waters. Despite its common name, it is not a starfish but a member of the class Holothuroidea. It is characterized by its elongated, leathery body and numerous small, feather-like tentacles around its mouth, which are used for feeding.

Details

Recommended minimum tank volume
200 liter (53 gallons)
Salinity
S.G. 1.023 to 1.025
Temperature
22 to 26 °C (72 to 79 °F)
Acidity
pH 8.1 to 8.4
Average size
30 cm (1′)
Care level
Moderate to easy Needs fine substrate to sift
Diet
Detritivore Feeds on detritus, leftover food
Reefsafe
Yes
Aggression
Peaceful
Captive bred
No

Taxonomy

  1. Kingdom
    Animals
    Animalia
  2. Phylum
    Echinoderms
    Echinodermata
  3. Class
    Sea Cucumbers
    Holothuroidea
  4. Order
    Sea Cucumbers
    Aspidochirotida
  5. Family
    Sea Cucumbers
    Holothuriidae
  6. Genus
    Sea Cucumber
    Holothuria
  7. Species
    Tiger-Tail Sea Cucumber
    Holothuria hilla Lesson, 1830
  8. Synonyms
    Holothuria fasciola Quoy & Gaimard, 1834
    Holothuria fuscopunctata Quoy & Gaimard, 1834
    Holothuria macleari Bell, 1884
    Holothuria patagonica Perrier R., 1904
    Labidodemas leucopus Haacke, 1880
    Labidodemas neglectum Haacke, 1880
    Stichopus gyrifer Selenka, 1867

Care

Holothuria hilla requires a well-established reef tank with plenty of live rock and a sandy substrate to mimic its natural environment. It is a detritivore, feeding on detritus and organic matter, which makes it a beneficial addition to the cleanup crew in a reef aquarium. Care should be taken to ensure that the tank is free of aggressive fish that may harm it.

Reproduction

Sea cucumbers, including Holothuria hilla, have the ability to reproduce both sexually and asexually. In the aquarium, sexual reproduction is less common, but hobbyists may observe the release of gametes into the water column during spawning events.

Habitat

Holothuria hilla is typically found in shallow waters of the Indo-Pacific region, often hiding under rocks or within crevices during the day. At night, it emerges to feed on the surrounding detritus and organic matter.