Common name: Prickly Redfish

Scientific name: Thelenota ananas (Jaeger, 1833)
Close Up Odd Pineapple Sea Cucumber Underwater with Pointy SpinesThelenota Ananas - Pineapple Sea Cucumber
Pineapple sea cucumber (Thelenota ananas).Orange sea cucumber ananas in Reunion island

General information

The Pineapple Sea Cucumber, scientifically known as Thelenota ananas, is a large and visually striking echinoderm that is popular among advanced aquarists. Its common name is derived from its rough, pineapple-like appearance, characterized by its thorny skin and elongated body. This species is one of the largest sea cucumbers in the world and can be a fascinating addition to a spacious marine aquarium.

Details

Recommended minimum tank volume
750 liter (200 gallons)
Salinity
S.G. 1.022 to 1.025
Temperature
24 to 28 °C (75 to 82 °F)
Acidity
pH 8.1 to 8.4
Average size
70 cm (2′4″)
Care level
Moderate to easy Needs ample space to roam
Diet
Detritivore Feeds on detritus and algae
Reefsafe
Yes
Aggression
Peaceful
Captive bred
No
Trade regulationsSource: Species+
CITES Appendix II / EU Annex B (Thelenota spp.)
Conservation statusSource: IUCN Red List
ExtinctThreatenedLeastConcern

Taxonomy

  1. Kingdom
    Animals
    Animalia
  2. Phylum
    Echinoderms
    Echinodermata
  3. Class
    Sea Cucumbers
    Holothuroidea
  4. Order
    Sea Cucumbers
    Aspidochirotida
  5. Family
    Sea Cucumbers
    Stichopodidae
  6. Genus
    Sea Cucumbers
    Thelenota
  7. Species
    Prickly Redfish
    Thelenota ananas (Jaeger, 1833)
  8. Synonyms
    Actinopyga formosa (Selenka, 1867)
    Holothuria ananas Jaeger, 1833
    Holothuria ananas Quoy & Gaimard, 1834
    Holothuria grandis Brandt, 1835
    Holothuria hystrix Saville-Kent, 1890
    Muelleria formosa Selenka, 1867
    Mulleria formosa Selenka, 1867
    Trepang ananas Jaeger, 1833

Care

Caring for a Pineapple Sea Cucumber requires a large tank with a deep sand bed and plenty of live rock to provide hiding places and surfaces for grazing. They are detritivores, feeding on detritus and organic matter in the substrate. It is crucial to maintain excellent water quality and stable parameters, as sea cucumbers are sensitive to changes in their environment.

Reproduction

In the wild, Thelenota ananas reproduces by releasing eggs and sperm into the water column, a process known as broadcast spawning. In captivity, breeding is rare, but if conditions are ideal, they may spawn. The larvae are planktonic before settling to the bottom and developing into juveniles.

Symbiosis

While not known for specific symbiotic relationships like clownfish and anemones, sea cucumbers play a vital role in the ecosystem by processing sediments and helping to maintain water quality.

Habitat

Thelenota ananas is found in the Indo-Pacific region, from the Red Sea and East Africa to the central Pacific. They inhabit reef slopes and lagoons, typically at depths ranging from 4 to 20 meters. This species prefers warm, tropical waters and is often found in areas with strong currents.