Named for its unique blue coloration, this species can be found along the continental shelf of the tropical Western Indo-Pacific region, at depths between 12 and 45 m (39 and 148 ft).

[9] In 2003, several specimens were collected in Comoros and Papua New Guinea by Yves Samyn, Didier VandenSpiegel, and Claude Massin, who formally described the new species as Actinopyga caerulea in 2006.

[12] The four paratype specimens (CNDRS 2004.09, RBINS IG 30376, NMHN EcHo 8081, and NHM 2005.2405) were also collected off the coast of Grande Comore, at depths ranging from 21 to 28 m (69 to 92 ft).

[20] The body of this sea cucumber is white, with numerous dark blue tube feet and papillae discontinuously covering its surface.

[26] In 2010, thirty (30) individual Actinopyga caerulea were purchased from a seafood market in Guangzhou, China as part of a study on the chemical composition and nutritional quality of several commercially important species of sea cucumbers.

During spawning season, eggs and sperm are externally released into the surrounding water by female and male individuals, respectively, and are fertilized when they meet.

[1] It has a wide geographic distribution, but is considered a rare species across its range, which makes the collection of accurate population data difficult.

"Ash" is a catch-all referring to anything not moisture, protein, and fat that was fully incinerated: e.g. ossicles, calcareous rings, gut contents.