Holothuria fuscogilva
# Holothuria fuscogilva

Holothuria (Microthele) fuscogilva, also known as the white teatfish or white teeth, is a species of sea cucumber in the genus Holothuria, subgenus Microthele. The cucumber is found in the tropical waters of the Indo-Pacific ocean. The species is vulnerable to over-exploitation from commercial fishing. It was first formally named by Gustave Cherbonnier in 1980.

## Distribution and habitat

Holothuria fuscogilva are found in the Indo-Pacific ocean in shallow waters near islands and around coral reefs. Juvenile cucumbers live in shallower waters (such as inter-tidal zones) and then migrate to deeper waters as they mature. Spawning occurs during the Northeastern Monsoon season (October to December), and the species reaches sexually maturity relatively late.

## Description

Adult cucumbers weigh between 2.4 and 4 kilograms. They are oval in shape and have a firm texture. This species cucumber has lateral papillae (teats) which are often buried in the sand.

## Use

Holothuria fuscogilva is consumed as a food and is of large commercial value across its range. The cucumber can be collected by hand using a diving suit or while skin diving, allowing for it to be easily harvested.

## Vulnerability and conservation

Due to overfishing, the cucumber was listed as vulnerable on the IUCN Red List in 2010.

A large population of the cucumber formerly existed in Sri Lanka, but decades of overfishing and mismanagement caused a large decline in the species' numbers. Sri Lanka banned the harvesting of the species in 2019.

