Actinopyga varians is found in tropical waters, commonly seen in the Western Pacific and the Indo-Pacific.

The Holothuriidae family, which the Actinopyga varians is a part of, is are known to have thick fleshy bodies and rows of tube feet.

Their spicules are shaped like tubes and although most species in the Holothuriidae family are able to eject cuvierian tubules in self-defense, the genera Actinopyga is unable to do so.

[9] Although not much is known about the reproductive habits of Actinopyga varians, members of the class Holothuroidea are gonochoric and have only one gonad.

Eventually, after the larval metamorphosis, the sea cucumber settles down and becomes a fully grown species.

[13] In China a similar species in the same genus, Actinopyga echinites, is held valuable for its pharmacological compound.