Common name: Sea Cucumbers

Holothuroidea, commonly known as sea cucumbers, are a fascinating class of echinoderms that are highly valued in the reefkeeping hobby for their unique appearance and beneficial roles in aquarium ecosystems. These marine invertebrates are named for their elongated, cucumber-like shape and are closely related to sea stars and sea urchins. Sea cucumbers are found in a variety of marine environments, from shallow coastal waters to the deep sea, and they play crucial roles in nutrient cycling and sediment turnover.

One of the most interesting aspects of sea cucumbers is their feeding behavior. They are detritivores, meaning they consume decomposing organic matter and detritus found on the ocean floor. This makes them excellent natural cleaners for aquariums, as they help maintain water quality by breaking down waste materials. Sea cucumbers use their tentacle-like tube feet to capture food particles, which they then ingest through their mouth located at one end of their body.

In terms of care, sea cucumbers require specific conditions to thrive in home aquariums. They prefer stable, well-established tanks with plenty of live rock and a sandy substrate, which mimics their natural habitat. It is important to ensure that the aquarium is free of sharp objects that could damage their soft bodies. Additionally, some species of sea cucumbers have the ability to expel their internal organs as a defense mechanism when stressed, which can be harmful to other tank inhabitants, so it's crucial to handle them with care.

Sea cucumbers exhibit a wide range of colors and sizes, making them an interesting addition to any marine aquarium. However, hobbyists should research individual species to understand their specific needs and compatibility with other tank mates. Overall, Holothuroidea are not only captivating creatures to observe but also serve as vital contributors to the health and balance of marine ecosystems.

1. Common name: Bannwarth's Sea Cucumber

   Scientific name: Actinopyga bannwarthi
2. 
   Common name: Spiny Sea Cucumber

   Scientific name: Actinopyga crassa
3. 
   Common name: Brownfish

   Scientific name: Actinopyga echinites
4. 
   Common name: stone fish (holothurian)

   Scientific name: Actinopyga lecanora
5. 
   Common name: Surf redfish

   Scientific name: Actinopyga mauritiana
6. Common name: Plump sea cucumber

   Scientific name: Actinopyga obesa
7. 
   Common name: California Sea Cucumber

   Scientific name: Apostichopus californicus
8. 
   Common name: Warty sea cucumber

   Scientific name: Apostichopus parvimensis
9. 
   Common name: New zealand sea cucumber

   Scientific name: Australostichopus mollis
10. 
    Common name: Leopard Sea Cucumber

    Scientific name: Bohadschia argus
11. 
    Common name: Pale marbled sea cucumber

    Scientific name: Bohadschia marmorata
12. Common name: Brownspotted sandfish

    Scientific name: Bohadschia vitiensis
13. 
    Common name: Red box sea cucumber

    Scientific name: Cercodemas anceps
14. 
    Common name: Sea Cucumber

    Scientific name: Colochirus crassus
15. 
    Common name: Thorny sea cucumber

    Scientific name: Colochirus quadrangularis
16. 
    Common name: robust sea cucumber

    Scientific name: Colochirus robustus
17. 
    Common name: Lion's Paw Sea Cucumber

    Scientific name: Euapta godeffroyi
18. Common name: beaded sea cucumber

    Scientific name: Euapta lappa
19. 
    Common name: lolly fish (holothurian)

    Scientific name: Holothuria atra
20. 
    Common name: Tiger Tail Sea Cucumber

    Scientific name: Holothuria difficilis
21. 
    Common name: pinkfish sea cucumber

    Scientific name: Holothuria edulis
22. 
    Common name: florida sea cucumber

    Scientific name: Holothuria floridana
23. 
    Common name: Black sea cucumber

    Scientific name: Holothuria forskali
24. 
    Common name: Brown spot sea cucumber

    Scientific name: Holothuria fuscopunctata
25. Common name: Tiger-Tail Sea Cucumber

    Scientific name: Holothuria hilla
26. Common name: impatient sea cucumber

    Scientific name: Holothuria impatiens
27. 
    Common name: donkey dung sea cucumber

    Scientific name: Holothuria mexicana
28. 
    Common name: Black teatfish

    Scientific name: Holothuria nobilis
29. 
    Common name: Leopard Sea Cucumber

    Scientific name: Holothuria pardalis
30. 
    Common name: Tiger Tail Sea Cucumber

    Scientific name: Holothuria pervicax
31. Common name: sand fish

    Scientific name: Holothuria scabra
32. 
    Common name: Tiger Tail Sea Cucumber

    Scientific name: Holothuria thomasi
33. 
    Common name: cotton-spinner

    Scientific name: Holothuria tubulosa
34. 
    Common name: Black teatfish

    Scientific name: Holothuria whitmaei
35. 
    Common name: four-sided sea cucumber

    Scientific name: Isostichopus badionotus
36. Common name: Large Burrowing Sea Cucumber

    Scientific name: Massinium magnum
37. Common name: Conspicuous Sea Cucumber

    Scientific name: Opheodesoma spectabilis
38. Common name: Royal Sea Cucumber

    Scientific name: Parastichopus regalis
39. 
    Common name: Graeffe's Sea Cucumber

    Scientific name: Pearsonothuria graeffei
40. Common name: Cotton Candy Nudibranch

    Scientific name: Polyplectana kefersteinii
41. 
    Common name: sea apple

    Scientific name: Pseudocolochirus violaceus
42. Common name: greenfish

    Scientific name: Stichopus chloronotus
43. 
    Common name: Curryfish

    Scientific name: Stichopus herrmanni
44. 
    Common name: Dragonfish

    Scientific name: Stichopus horrens
45. 
    Common name: Pineapple Sea Cucumber

    Scientific name: Stichopus monotuberculatus
46. Common name: Nose Sea Cucumber

    Scientific name: Stichopus naso
47. Common name: Curryfish

    Scientific name: Stichopus vastus
48. 
    Common name: Spotted Worm Sea Cucumber

    Scientific name: Synapta maculata
49. 
    Common name: Lampert's Sea Cucumber

    Scientific name: Synaptula lamperti
50. 
    Common name: Prickly Redfish

    Scientific name: Thelenota ananas
51. 
    Common name: Amberfish

    Scientific name: Thelenota anax
52. 
    Common name: Red-lined Sea Cucumber

    Scientific name: Thelenota rubralineata