Common name: Spotted Worm Sea Cucumber

Scientific name: Synapta maculata (Chamisso & Eysenhardt, 1821)
Synapta Maculata - Sea Cucumber - Spotted Worm Sea Cucumber - Snake Sea Cucumber
Close up portrait of snake sea cucumberGiant Synaptid Sea Cucumber or Snake Sea Сucumber (Synapta maculata) lies on sandy bottom covered with green Smooth ribbon seagrass (Cymodocea rotundata), Red sea, Egypt

General information

The Spotted Sea Cucumber, Synapta maculata, is a unique and fascinating invertebrate commonly found in the reef aquarium hobby. It is known for its elongated, worm-like body and distinctive spotted pattern. This species is part of the class Holothuroidea and is a detritivore, playing a crucial role in the ecosystem by consuming detritus and recycling nutrients.

Details

Recommended minimum tank volume
75 liter (20 gallons)
Salinity
S.G. 1.023 to 1.026
Temperature
22 to 26 °C (72 to 79 °F)
Acidity
pH 8.1 to 8.4
Average size
2 m (6′7″)
Care level
Moderate to easy Needs fine sand to burrow
Diet
Detritivore Feeds on detritus and microorganisms
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
    Apodida
  5. Family
    Synaptid sea cucumbers
    Synaptidae
  6. Genus
    Sea Cucumber
    Synapta
  7. Species
    Spotted Worm Sea Cucumber
    Synapta maculata (Chamisso & Eysenhardt, 1821)
  8. Synonyms
    Fistularia doreyana Quoy & Gaimard, 1834
    Holothuria beselii Jaeger, 1833
    Holothuria maculata Chamisso & Eysenhardt, 1821
    Holothuria oceanica Lesson, 1830
    Oncinolabes fuscescans Brandt, 1835
    Synapta agassizii Selenka, 1867
    Synapta astrolabi Held, 1857
    Synapta beselii Jaeger, 1833
    Synapta mammillosa Eschscholtz, 1829
    Synapta oceanica (Lesson, 1830)

Care

Synapta maculata requires a well-established aquarium with a deep sand bed and plenty of live rock to thrive. It is sensitive to water quality, so regular water changes and stable parameters are essential. This sea cucumber is a peaceful species and should be kept with non-aggressive tank mates.

Reproduction

Reproduction in Synapta maculata typically involves broadcast spawning, where eggs and sperm are released into the water column. In the aquarium, breeding is rare, but if conditions are ideal, it may occur.

Habitat

The Spotted Sea Cucumber is commonly found in shallow waters, often hiding under rocks or within crevices during the day. It is widely distributed across the Indo-Pacific region, from the Red Sea to the waters around the Philippines and Australia.