Stichopus herrmanni
Overview
A detailed profile for this species is sourced from the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species as assessments become available.
Stichopus herrmanni faces severe pressure from intensive commercial harvesting for the sea cucumber trade, particularly in Asian markets where it is highly valued for culinary and medicinal purposes. Overexploitation has led to population crashes across much of its range, with some areas experiencing local extinctions. Additional threats include habitat degradation from coastal development, pollution, and destructive fishing practices that damage the coral reef and seagrass ecosystems this species depends upon.
Habitat
Stichopus herrmanni inhabits shallow tropical marine waters, typically found on coral reefs, seagrass beds, and sandy bottoms in the Indo-Pacific region. This sea cucumber species prefers depths ranging from the intertidal zone to approximately 30 meters, where it feeds on organic matter in sediments.
