Content overview: “Black Teatfish Sea Cucumber May Live 120 Years, Study Finds”. Scientists have discovered that the black teatfish, a sea cucumber species, can live for more than 100 years, with some individuals estimated to reach 120 years old. This makes it the first sea cucumber known to have a lifespan exceeding a century, according to new research. The study used growth rings in the animal's calcareous ossicles, akin to tree rings, to estimate age, providing unprecedented insight into the longevity of these marine invertebrates.
The black teatfish, found in the Indo-Pacific, is a high-value species heavily fished for the bêche-de-mer trade, and its slow growth and late maturity make it particularly vulnerable to overexploitation. Understanding its extreme lifespan is crucial for fisheries management and conservation, as current harvesting rates may not be sustainable for such a long-lived species. The full version stays on the original page, which this listing opens directly.