sea cucumber

kcfehring · #1 08/26/2007, 11:40 AM

I was just wondering if anyone had one in their reef tank. There is one at my LFS and they said it was a good sand cleaner/detritus eater. I know that if they get agitated they can spray a toxin in the tank but the people I talked to said it takes alot for that to happen. I don't have any aggressive fish and since it stays on the sand there is nothing for it to get caught in. Just wondering if it was worth it.

Serra · #2 08/26/2007, 11:59 AM

I think jk just had major problems with his so I hope he answers this.

dugg · #3 08/26/2007, 01:40 PM

They are cool until they decide that one of your powerheads looks interesting, then they are not so cool anymore. If one finds it's way to a powerhead, you will have major issues. I had one that killed every last living thing in my tank.

pwhitby · #4 08/26/2007, 07:32 PM

I have had one for 7 years, no issues. It lives on the sand bed and never leaves it.

Serra · #5 08/26/2007, 08:19 PM

So how do you know it's there?

jkhudson · #6 08/26/2007, 08:43 PM

They're cool to look at but if they die...It's up to you, but I'll never have one again. I'd buy snails and crabs to do the clean up. It's one of those things if nothing goes wrong great if it dies get it out ASAP and start doing water changes, ALOT of water changes.

pwhitby · #7 08/26/2007, 08:59 PM

we must be talking about different animals. I have had them die in the past with no issues either.

Serra...

I know its there because I can see it. It live on the sand, not in it.

jeeperrs · #8 08/26/2007, 09:23 PM

LOL You make me laugh Paul. Post a pic of it and show us what it looks like

Travis L. Stevens · #9 08/26/2007, 09:30 PM

Quote:

I know that if they get agitated they can spray a toxin in the tank but the people I talked to said it takes alot for that to happen

No, when some species get aggitated, the spew out their innards. A few species will release toxins upon their deaths, but most of those cucumbers never make it in the trade. As far as cucumbers go as an essential part of the cleanup crew, I say look else where. Their interesting and fun to watch, but they eat anything and everything from detritus to bacteria to any other sandbed fauna that passes through their system.

dugg · #10 08/27/2007, 08:07 PM

Is this the kind you have Paul?

Serra · #11 08/27/2007, 09:49 PM

Hey! I think I saw that in Paul's tank. Drink and all! I always thought it was a sea pickle though...

jeeperrs · #12 08/27/2007, 10:17 PM

It can't be the same one. He has clearly stated it is ON his sand bed ha-ha

dugg · #13 08/28/2007, 08:36 AM

That was a picture of mine right before he spilled his drink in my tank and killed everything. That is the problem. You buy them as a cuccumber, then they grab a drink and try getting pickeled, then the next thing you know they spill thier drink in the tank, and everything dies.

JasonF · #14 08/28/2007, 10:19 AM

I've had two die over the years of either old age or something else and neither caused the tank any issues. They were both named Mr Hanky because they looked like ........

dugg · #15 08/28/2007, 01:22 PM

I don't think it's an issue with just when they die natural. I think it only is an issue when they get caught up in an intake for a powerhead or pump. If you have a large tank with lots of sand, they don't leave the sandbed. In smaller tanks with not enough sand, they will go up the rocks and even on the glass. Then is when they become an issue.

Travis L. Stevens · #16 08/28/2007, 01:27 PM

Yes, the death of most commonly seen cucumbers have the same effects as when an anemone dies; they decompose quickly and add massive amounts of ammonia to the water. If you're unklucky and got one that was noxious (IE Sea Apple), it will also release toxins. As long as they are alive, they aren't a threat at all.