from the sea is known as trepanging in Indonesia. In many areas the fisheries have declined over the years because of over fishing, so ranching, aquaculture and hatchery rearing are being attempted. Aquaculture The sandfish has a high value in Asian markets where they are sold as beche-de-mer for food. This makes them a key species for aquaculture production, where the species flourishes; one of the only tropical holothurian species to do so. They are also valuable in aquaculture for habitat restocking; juveniles are often grown in tanks and released into the wild with hopes of restocking the wild population and causing a spillover effect in protected areas. Broodstock is the population of adults that will be used for reproduction. These are gathered from wild stocks and since the sandfish is found in environments close to the equator, they can spawn year round. Peak season for spawning though is typically during the dry seasons, August to November. Approximately 30–45 adult sandfish are required to start a small batch of spawning individuals. Spawning for H. scabra is closely related to the lunar cycle, and will occur in the afternoon to early evening. Spawning can be induced using several methods: thermal stimulation involves increasing and decreasing water temperatures rapidly, dry treatment involves leaving the sandfish out of the water for 30–45 minutes before being returned to the tanks, and the food stimulant method involves providing a highly concentrated amount of algae to the water to overfeed the sandfish. Gonad extraction is also an option but requires the dissection of the animal. It is common in most aquaculture facilities to use a combination of the listed methods, in order to ensure spawning. 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. Cocultures Due to its hardy nature, the sandfish is a good species for cocultures with other species. They are able to reuse waste material from other organisms and make nutrients usable. The following species have been kept in tanks with H. scabra: Black tiger prawn, Penaeus monodon Red seaweed, Kappaphycus striatum Blue shrimp, Litopenaeus stylirostris Parasites The worm pearlfish (Encheliophis vermicularis) is a