Description: A small sea cucumber with white skin and tube-feet in 5 zigzag rows. There are 10 sparsely branched white tentacles. The spicules are numerous and each one is knobbly with 4 holes. There is a superficial layer of smaller star-shaped cup spicules. Usually only 1cm long, occasionally up to 4 cm.

Habitat: This is an epifaunal species living amongst shells and other sessile animals.

Distribution: Found on the south, west and north-east coasts of the British Isles.

Similar Species: Has been confused with the small form of Ocnus planci in the past.

Key Identification Features:

• Small size, white in colour.
• Tube-feet in 5 zigzag rows.
• 10 small white tentacles.
• Large spicules with knobs and 4 holes.

Distribution Map from NBN: Ocnus lacteus at National Biodiversity Network mapping facility, data for UK.

iNaturalist: Ocnus lacteus at iNaturalist World Species Observations database.

WoRMS: Ocnus lacteus at World Register of Marine Species. Accepted name: Ocnus lacteus (Forbes & Goodsir, 1839). AphiaID: 124645.

Classification: Biota; Animalia; Echinodermata; Echinozoa; Holothuroidea; Actinopoda; Dendrochirotida; Cucumariidae; Ocnus