Blackfish (species: Actinopyga miliaris) in taxonomy (Gaia Guide)
Animalia > Echinodermata > Echinozoa > Holothuroidea > Aspidochirotida > Holothuriidae > Actinopyga > Actinopyga miliaris (gallery)
Actinopyga miliaris
Blackfish


©Lyle Vail: Actinopyga miliaris in a defensive position.

©Anne: Actinopyga miliaris at about 20 metres depth off Pidgin Point in January 2009

©Anne: Actinopyga miliaris about 30 cm long in its elongate, undisturbed state on the reef flat, Lizard Island.

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Kingdom Animalia
Phylum Echinodermata
Class Holothuroidea
Order Aspidochirotida
Family Holothuriidae
Genus Actinopyga
Species Actinopyga miliaris
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Colours

    

Distinguishing features

All species of Actinopyga have distinct anal "teeth" that are visible in the field. Colour pattern is useful to distinguish the four species known from Lizard Island. None of the Actinopyga species eject cuverian tubules when disturbed.

Actinopyga miliaris is black all over and is known as the Black Fish in the trepang trade. When disturbed, it becomes shorter and thicker. The body wall is thick, firm and smooth.

Size

  • Up to 35 cm (length, Purcell et al 2012)

Depth range

  • Up to 12 m (Purcell et al 2012)

Synonyms

Similar taxa

Distribution


©Atlas of Living Australia: Australian distribution

Distribution and habitat preferences

Actinopyga miliaris is found mostly in shallow reef habitats around the Lizard Island group. It has also been found off Pidgin Point in deeper water (>20 metres) on soft bottom associated with algae.

Behaviour

Has been observed spawning at Lizard Island: 4 pm, 18 Oct 2018.

Web resources

References

References that assist with identification

  • Purcell, S.W., Y. Samyn and C. Conand (2012). Commercially important sea cucumbers of the world 150 pp., 30 pl. Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, Rome.

Other references

  • Cannon, L.R.G. and H. Silver (1986). Sea Cucumbers of Northern Australia Queensland Museum, Brisbane. LIRS catalog number 229.
  • Uthicke, S., T.D. O'Hara and M. Byrne (2004). Species composition and molecular phylogeny of the Indo-Pacific teatfish (Echinodermata: Holothurioidea) beche-de-mer fishery, Marine and Freshwater Research, 55: 837-848. LIRS catalog number 1034.