Depth
Holothuria · Echinoderms (Starfish, Urchins & Brittle Stars)

White Spot Cucumber

Holothuria poli

0-40m
Depth Range
Variable
Max Size
Mediterranean
Distribution
0-40m
Depth Range
Variable
Max Size
Reef & Open
Habitat
Carnivore
Diet
Solitary
Social
LC
IUCN Status
Kingdom Animalia
Phylum Echinodermata
Genus Holothuria
Species poli

Echinoderm

Identification & Biology

  • IdentificationA medium-sized sea cucumber with an elongated, cylindrical brown body dotted with pale cream to white spots. The underside is lighter with rows of tube feet. Smaller and more slender than the cotton spinner.
  • SizeBody length up to 20 cm.
  • Social HabitSolitary or in loose groups. Found crawling slowly across open substrates, ingesting surface sediment.
  • HabitatRocky reefs, seagrass meadows, and sandy areas near rock. Found on a variety of shallow substrates.
  • Depth0 to 50 m. Common in the shallows to about 25 m.
  • Feeds OnDetritus, organic matter, and microorganisms in the surface sediment. A deposit feeder.
  • DistributionMediterranean Sea and adjacent eastern Atlantic. Common in Maltese waters.
  • DescriptionHolothuria poli is one of three commonly encountered sea cucumber species in Malta, distinguished from the others by its distinctive white spots on a brown background. Like all sea cucumbers, it plays a valuable role in recycling organic matter on the seabed. It is less dramatic than the cotton spinner, lacking the explosive Cuvierian tubule defence, but is equally common on shallow Mediterranean reefs.

Range

Habitat & Distribution

Found across the Mediterranean, inhabiting reef & open environments. Active from the surface down to 40m depth.

Where Malta divers have spotted this species

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Sightings are logged by divers using our What Did You See? dive-log tool. View the full live sightings map.

Detail

Preferred Environment

Reef & Open habitats, typically at depths of 0-40m. Most commonly encountered by divers at the shallower end of its range.

Encounter Tips

Best approached slowly and calmly. Avoid casting shadows directly over the animal. Neutral buoyancy and patience increase encounter success significantly.

White Spot Cucumber species card

Biology

Behaviour & Diet

Feeding Strategy

Deposit feeder that uses its oral tentacles to collect organic particles and detritus from rock surfaces and sediment. Processes material slowly as it moves across the substrate.

Deposit feeder

Reproduction

Sexes are separate, with gametes released into the water column during spawning events. Larvae develop through a planktonic auricularia stage before settling.

Broadcast spawner

Behaviour & Defence

Can contract its body dramatically and stiffen when disturbed, making it difficult to dislodge from rocky surfaces. In extreme cases, may eviscerate internal organs as a defensive response.

Body stiffening

Dive with diveshack

Where to Encounter in Malta

The following dive sites offer strong habitat match for Holothuria poli. All are accessible on a guided dive with diveshack.

5-30m
North Malta

Cirkewwa

Rocky reef with caves, arches and ledges hosting a rich diversity of reef species.

View dive site ›
5-50m
Gozo

Blue Hole

One of the Med's most famous reef dive sites. Rocky walls and archways covered in life.

View dive site ›
18-36m
South Malta

Um El Faroud

The wreck lies on a sandy bottom surrounded by rocky reef -- a diverse habitat attracting reef species.

View dive site ›
IUCN Red List Least Concern

Conservation Status

This species is assessed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List. Mediterranean populations face ongoing pressure from fishing activity, habitat degradation, and climate-driven changes to prey availability.

Source: iNaturalist Guide #888
by Lesley Clements (CC BY-SA)
diveshack Mediterranean Marine Life guide