All these groups tend to have radial symmetry and have a water vascular system that operates by hydrostatic pressure, enabling them to move around by use of many suckers known as tube feet.

Sea cucumbers are usually leathery, gherkin-shaped animals with a cluster of feeding tentacles at one end surrounding the mouth.

[5] This body wall is filled with calcareous plates called spicules, and are used to ID species; the sandfish is identified by table and knobbed button shapes.

[5] Sandfish play a key role in the health of their habitat; like most sea cucumbers H. scabra are bioturbators and play a key role in reworking the sediment and ensuring that organic matter is evenly distributed for the ecosystem to function, and have a subsequent diet of detritus and other microorganisms.

Their burrowing behavior varies as they mature, with younger sandfish responding to changes in light and coming out in darkness.

Sandfish are particular about sediment size and type, settling in fine sand and muddy substrates high in nutrients.

[11] Like all sea cumbers, H. scabra exhibits defensive vomiting, where they expel their internal organs to distract predators while they escape.

In many areas the fisheries have declined over the years because of over fishing, so ranching, aquaculture and hatchery rearing are being attempted.

These are gathered from wild stocks and since the sandfish is found in environments close to the equator, they can spawn year round.

[17] Spawning for H. scabra is closely related to the lunar cycle, and will occur in the afternoon to early evening.

[17] The sandfish larvae are closely monitored in order to ensure survival, as they are temperamental and require specific conditions for success.

Once the larvae develop into juveniles they must be moved into growout tanks, at a density of 200-500 individuals per square meter to ensure that each one is receiving proper space to grow and the required nutrients.