yellow sea cucumber

[bud1]

Hello,


I am wondering if this yellow sea cucumber is good to keep in a reef tank or one should avoid put it in the reef tank..

Thanks,

 

[jdamon]

Cucumbers are a great addition to a reef tank. I just added a tiger tail to my own and it hasn't stopped eating algea off the sand in three weeks. The only thing I would be leary of is the fact that it is yellow. Usually the brighter the color, the more toxic they can be. But of course this is only a problem if the die, or get messed with. A friend of mine has a pink one, and its fine, just don't chop it up and you should alright. Good luck!

Jeff

 

[wade1]

One caution, and a very strong one... do not put in any cucumbers unless you have no powerheads near the sandbed. I have seen in two instances where all fish in a tank die from 'cuke nuke' when a cucumber hits a powerhead and is severely stressed or traumatically killed. They do a good job of cleaning the substrate, but a very good job of killing fish if stressed.

Just something to consider.

Wade

 

[jdamon]

Even if the powerhead has a strainer on it?????

 

[wade1]

Yes even with a strainer. Holothurians in general can squeeze their bodies into extremely small spaces, and the suction from a powerhead is a bad thing. If the powerhead is mounted up high on the glass, its not as big a concern. Just make it as difficult to get to as possible for the cuke (they typically stay in the sandbed, but can climb when they want to).

Wade

 

[ophiuroid]

Is the photo below a picture of the beast in question?

If so, this species is NOT a sand sifter. In general, if you see a cuke at the LFS that is up on rocks, the glass, etc, it is a filter feeder and will not clean the sand. Also, if it has long branch tentacles like the one below has, that is a sign it is a filter feeder. Sand sifters have stubby dust mod type tentacles.

You must be feeding filter feeders in the tank in order for them to do well. They don't really benefit the tank except for a touch of color, and some overall coolness.

I have not heard anyone having trouble with this species poisoning the tank from stressing out, but watch for them getting into powerheads...a real risk Read up on proper acclimation of echinoderms (which should be a looong drip method).

The species is Colochirus robustus. Perhaps further searches here and other boards will give more insight into their potential for poisoning things.

 

[Reefguide]

What is the safest, most effective cuke for sandbeds? I always have issues with algea on my sandbed...

No powerhead here btw...

 

[jdamon]

A tiger tail is the most common i think. There is a brown/black version that would be fine too. They are fairly cheap, I paid $15 for the tiger tail, you may even be able to do better than that.

Jeff

 

[bud1]

Yes....the one I am referring to is Colochirus robustus.....and look exactly like the picture shown above....show I remove it from the tank?

 

[bud1]

I mean should I remove it from the tank

 

[ophiuroid]

I personally don't see any reason too, so long as you are feeding some sort of liquid diet. I would do a few searches through the forums here and on RC to see what people think. I would say problems with them are pretty rare. Just make sure you do not have any fish that might pick on it. Avoid bothering it too much, they don't like to be pestered.

I've been thinking of getting one myself. But as for removing it, that is up to you. See if the LFS will take it back if you don't want it.