Sea Cucumber curiosity

Blue Hippo · 05/05/2014, 12:46 AM

I recently purchased a Sea Cucumber from my LFS less than a week ago. It is white/light gray with black circular spots.
-my first question is what kind of cucumber is this? Please note: it does not have filter feeders that branch out to collect food.

2nd question: sense he/she has been in the tank it has found a nice crevice in a rock, near the sand and stays there, with what appears to be his mouth open. Just enjoying the view.

The LFS said the cucumber was a sand sifter, but that has yet to be seen cause it is just sitting in its crevice.
- Is this normal, what should I do?

Reefer54 · 05/05/2014, 01:53 AM

leave it be. most likely a tigertail cucumber. it will do its thing, and if you have enough crap in the tank, it will flourish and reproduce.

snorvich · 05/05/2014, 04:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Reefer54

leave it be. most likely a tigertail cucumber. it will do its thing, and if you have enough crap in the tank, it will flourish and reproduce.

I agree. Got a picture?

johnike · 05/05/2014, 05:01 AM

The Tiger tails seem to be less mobile than the black ones.
Cucumbers are great sand cleaners, I had to give them up because of closed loop strainers. (Blech)

gpdno · 05/05/2014, 05:06 AM

I really seems to depend on the cucumber. I have four in my tank. One only hangs out around a piece of rock. Two seem to stay put in caves. One travels all over the tank crawling up the sides and exploring every nook and cranny.

Blue Hippo · 05/05/2014, 07:04 AM

Thanks for your replies. . I will try and get a good picture and post it later.

How ever, lets say the tank is having a cyano algea issue on the sand. Will this cuke help clear this algea up?

thegrun · 05/05/2014, 07:13 AM

Please be aware that all sea cucumbers have the potential to poison an aquarium by ejecting their digestive tract and releasing a toxin. Though the toxin is used only for defense, extreme care should be taken when keeping these animals. If they get caught in a powerhead the toxins will kill your entire tank. They perform well as a CUC member, but they also are a big risk. If you suspect yours may be sick, remove it at once!

risin · 05/05/2014, 02:07 PM

I like the sand sifting cucumbers. They do a decent job of keeping algae from collecting on top of the sand. If they don't have enough food they tend to explore and could cause issues.

As for the doom and gloom above, I don't think that applies to all cucumbers. I had a tiger tail get caught in a siphon and ultimately died in the tank, with zero ill affects on the tank.

Paul B · 05/05/2014, 04:05 PM

Mine just sits there, Is he dead?

Mysticalknight · 05/05/2014, 04:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Paul B

Mine just sits there, Is he dead?

.........

btw Paul I'm an admirer of yours from mr, I believe your tank is older than me lol

coverdog · 05/05/2014, 04:20 PM

It looks like he may be napping.

gpdno · 05/05/2014, 06:54 PM

ImageUploadedByTapatalk1399337561.217426.jpg

Sea Cucumber in the foreground. Sea Lettuce in the background. All I need is a sea tomato and I can make a salad.

05/05/2014, 12:46 AM	#1
Blue Hippo Registered Member Join Date: May 2014 Posts: 14	Sea Cucumber curiosity I recently purchased a Sea Cucumber from my LFS less than a week ago. It is white/light gray with black circular spots. -my first question is what kind of cucumber is this? Please note: it does not have filter feeders that branch out to collect food. 2nd question: sense he/she has been in the tank it has found a nice crevice in a rock, near the sand and stays there, with what appears to be his mouth open. Just enjoying the view. The LFS said the cucumber was a sand sifter, but that has yet to be seen cause it is just sitting in its crevice. - Is this normal, what should I do?

05/05/2014, 01:53 AM	#2
Reefer54 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Avon Posts: 1,087	leave it be. most likely a tigertail cucumber. it will do its thing, and if you have enough crap in the tank, it will flourish and reproduce. __________________ R54 Current Tank Info: 36 x 36 x 25 Cube, mixed reef, A360WE x 3, A350N x 1, 40GB sump, RDSB, Remote LR Cryptic, 2 WP-40's, ummm....

05/05/2014, 05:06 AM	#5
gpdno Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Venice, FL Posts: 147	I really seems to depend on the cucumber. I have four in my tank. One only hangs out around a piece of rock. Two seem to stay put in caves. One travels all over the tank crawling up the sides and exploring every nook and cranny. __________________ Greg 150 gal DT, 50 gal Sump/Refugium Enjoy and don't rush it. Your personal reef is like a garden. You can't expect tomatoes the day after you plant the seeds. Current Tank Info: 150 gal Reef w/50 gal refugium

05/05/2014, 04:05 PM	#9
Paul B Premium Member Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Long Island NY Posts: 15,549	Mine just sits there, Is he dead? __________________ I used to get shocked when I put my hand in my tank. Then the electric eel went dead. Current Tank Info: 100 gal reef set up in 1971

05/05/2014, 06:54 PM	#12
gpdno Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Venice, FL Posts: 147	ImageUploadedByTapatalk1399337561.217426.jpg Sea Cucumber in the foreground. Sea Lettuce in the background. All I need is a sea tomato and I can make a salad. __________________ Greg 150 gal DT, 50 gal Sump/Refugium Enjoy and don't rush it. Your personal reef is like a garden. You can't expect tomatoes the day after you plant the seeds. Current Tank Info: 150 gal Reef w/50 gal refugium

05/05/2014, 05:01 AM	#4
johnike Moved On Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Bureau County Illinois Posts: 5,406	The Tiger tails seem to be less mobile than the black ones. Cucumbers are great sand cleaners, I had to give them up because of closed loop strainers. (Blech)

05/05/2014, 07:04 AM	#6
Blue Hippo Registered Member Join Date: May 2014 Posts: 14	Thanks for your replies. . I will try and get a good picture and post it later. How ever, lets say the tank is having a cyano algea issue on the sand. Will this cuke help clear this algea up?

05/05/2014, 07:13 AM	#7
thegrun Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Garden Grove, Ca Posts: 17,023	Please be aware that all sea cucumbers have the potential to poison an aquarium by ejecting their digestive tract and releasing a toxin. Though the toxin is used only for defense, extreme care should be taken when keeping these animals. If they get caught in a powerhead the toxins will kill your entire tank. They perform well as a CUC member, but they also are a big risk. If you suspect yours may be sick, remove it at once!

05/05/2014, 02:07 PM	#8
risin Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Clearwater, FL Posts: 715	I like the sand sifting cucumbers. They do a decent job of keeping algae from collecting on top of the sand. If they don't have enough food they tend to explore and could cause issues. As for the doom and gloom above, I don't think that applies to all cucumbers. I had a tiger tail get caught in a siphon and ultimately died in the tank, with zero ill affects on the tank.

05/05/2014, 04:20 PM	#11
coverdog Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: SW Fl. Posts: 189	It looks like he may be napping.