244

Purcell, S.W. 2004. Rapid growth and bioturbation activity of the sea cucumber Holothuria scabra in earthen
ponds. Proceedings of Australasian Aquaculture 2004, p. 244

RAPID GROWTH AND BIOTURBATION ACTIVITY OF THE SEA CUCUMBER

Holothuria scabra IN EARTHEN PONDS
Steven W. Purcell
WorldFish Center
Secretariat of the Pacific Community
B.P. D5, Noumea Cedex, New Caledonia
s.purcell@cgiar.org
Sea cucumbers are valuable export products. Technology on their culture is expanding rapidly to help
meet market demand in China, and to help relieve exploited fisheries. The sandfish, Holothuria
scabra, is the most valued of tropical species. It is the focus of a restocking research project in New
Caledonia, funded by ACIAR, provincial governments and the government of France. Sandfish are
deposit-feeding detritivores of shallow muddy/sandy habitats, thus earthen ponds provide suitable
conditions. Pond grow-out could reduce the costs involved in producing juveniles for restocking and
provide a valuable and novel crop.
Hatchery-produced juveniles and wild-caught
broodstock sandfish grew rapidly in earthen
ponds in New Caledonia (Table 1). No
additional feed was given, so animals had only
the existing organic matter in the sediments,
averaging 4.0 to 6.2 % by wt., and
autochthonous production. Densities were 78
to 128 g m-2, under the reported growthlimiting threshold of 225 g m-2.

One kg is an appropriate size for processing for

exportation. Therefore, the culture cycle in ponds
could be 1.5 to 2 years.

TABLE 1. Growth of sandfish broodstock and

hatchery-produced juveniles (asterisks) in ponds.
Av. Start
wt. (g)
1375
702
378
262
22 *
26 *

n
43
132
37
31
55
62

Duration
(months)
12
5
7.5
11.5
1
1

Growth rate (g
ind-1 month-1)
8.2
69.8
71.6
46.2
35.0
30.1

FIGURE 1. An adult sandfish burrowing into

the upper layer of pond sediments.

In-situ
measurements
showed
that
the
bioturbation of pond sediments, particularly by
burrowing, is substantial. Sandfish averaging 919
g (n = 4) displace 1087 ( 296) cm3 of sediment
by burrowing, which is a natural diurnal
behaviour (Fig. 1). Burrows are shallow in ponds
due to hard underlying sediments. Feeding was
periodic and variable but, as a guide, animals
averaging 1.0 kg excreted 1.6 g ( 1.3 g) sediment
h-1.
Pond grow-out of sandfish appears technically feasible. Sandfish could act as bio-remediators for pond
aquaculture by eating unused organic deposits, but conversion to soluble nitrogenous excreta should
be considered. Bioturbation by sandfish could benefit shrimp culture. An experiment rearing juvenile
sandfish with shrimp showed promise for successful co-culture. However, co-culture is not a likely
panacea for reduced pond management, since ponds with sandfish can also become eutrophic with
anoxic sediments. Future research should examine inter-specific interactions, verify bio-remediation
effects, and determine optimal management of co-culture systems.