The eyed sea cucumber, Bohadschia argus, has many other names including the tripang, leopard stickyfish, tigerfish holothurian, and ocellated sea cucumber.
This echinoderm species lives on coral reefs throughout the Indo-Pacific. It is found either singly or in groups in rubbly and sandy areas, and can reach almost 50 centimeters in length.
Sea cucumbers are filter feeders. Some species use their tentacles to filter sand, while others capture plankton in the water.
In Asia, edible species are considered a delicacy, sometimes known as beche de mer, which is served in a variety of dishes.
Holothurians can defend themselves from predators via evisceration. They eject their intestines or respiratory organs as sticky threads, which they can rapidly regenerate.
Matthew Oldfield is a freelance photographer based in Bali, Indonesia, specializing in editorial and documentary images from both above and below the waves. He works primarily with charities, NGO’s, and other organizations working to conserve the environment, endangered species, and disappearing cultures.
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