White-rumped sea cucumbers (Actinopyga lecanora) on the Shores of Singapore

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Phylum Echinodermata > Class Holothuroidea

White-rumped sea cucumber
Actinopyga lecanora
Family Holothuriidae
updated Aug 10

Where seen? This large fat sea cucumber with a white ring around its back end is commonly seen on many of our Southern shores. Usually among coral rubble, and living hard and soft corals.

Features: 15-20cm long. The animal may be elongated into a long sausage-like shape, or contracted into a more rounded loaf-shape or even into a more globular oval shape. Surface somewhat smooth with long, thin tube feet, sparsely distributed all over. Sometimes, the sea cucumber is seen with many tube feet on the underside.

One distinguishing feature of this sea cucumber is the white or greyish zone around the rear end. The anus is guarded by five calcareous teeth-like structures. When feeding, the mouth is usually facing downwards towards the ground.

Colours variable ranging from shades of brown to golden yellow or white, sometimes with blotches, sometimes a uniform colour.

It is sometimes called the 'stone fish sea cucumber' because it looks like a smooth stone when disturbed; bloating up into a rounded, smooth shape and retracting its tube feet. However, when relaxed, the animal can be quite long and thin.

Human uses: This sea cucumber is among the edible ones harvested for the food trade. Tests indicate these sea cucumbers contain toxins. They must be properly prepared before they are safe to eat.

Status and threats: This sea cucumber is not listed among the threatened animals of Singapore. However, like other creatures of the intertidal zone, they are affected by human activities such as reclamation and pollution. Over-collection can also have an impact on local populations.