Home > Invertebrates > Echinoderms > Sea Cucumbers > Holothuria difficilis

Updated 4/14/2026

Family Holothuriidae

INDO-PACIFIC / HAWAII

TROPICAL EASTERN PACIFIC

Holothuria difficilis 

Sharks Cove tidepool, Pupukea, Oahu

 

Makapu'u tidepool, Oahu

Makapu'u tidepool, Oahu

 

Makapu'u, Oahu, 10 feet

Kaloko, Oahu, 5 feet

 

Lana'i Lookout, Oahu, 15 feet

DIFFICULT SEA CUCUMBER

Common under stones in areas exposed to wave action.  Thin reddish brown skin with black papillae.  Expels cuvierian tubules if disturbed.  Attains 5 inches.  Red Sea to Japan, Hawaii, Rapa Nui, SW Mexico and Ecuador.  Formerly known as Actinopyga parvula.