Cucumbers

[GavinSmith]

Does anyone know where I can get a black sea cucumber from?

I added a sand base to my tank and could do with something to keep it turned over.

Gavin

[b3any]

Dont cucumbers release nasty toxins when they die, that could cause issues in the tank.... Wouldnt you be better with either Sand sifting star or some Vibx snails are they called.....

I may have dreamnt the thing about the cucumbers not sure :D

[Macca]

Lthe little yellow indo pacific sea cucumber if it dies will release toxins in your aquarium, These toxins would be deadly in a nano tank but in a l;arge tank pose littl;e threat especially if running carbon. This little fellow is a plankton eater and will not do anything for your sand bed.

The gold and black and brown sea cucumbers we sell at reefcritters are far bigger but do not release any toxins when they die but if threatened buy a fish or something can release its internal organs that although regenerate can kill fish if eaten. Again these cucumbers do not sive through the sand as they are plankton eaters also.

The sand sifter cucumber you are thinking of is a tiger tail. These cucmbers also do not pose a threat when they die bit can expel their internal organs also. The tiger tail sifts through sand eating bacteria and left overs and although does this job very effectively I would always buy an alternative myself.

If you want something to eat and strip your sand bed go for this cucumber or a sand sifter star. If you want your bed turned over go for a conch which will also eat bacteria etc but not to the same degree and I belive is more beneficial. If you just want to keep the bed turned over but dont want all the fauna stripped from it go for Tongans or Vibex snails IMO.

James

PS

Small poisonous cucumber - Colochirus sp (Seen a lot in LFS)
Black, Brown, Gold Cucumbers - Holothuria sp (Very common but not a regular import - ones we stock).
Tiger Tails - Halathuria sp - (Usually double the price than the two above)

[GavinSmith]

According to your website...


Sea Cucumbers are found on sandy bottoms where they roam around sifting the sand for food. Sea cucumbers make great additions to the reef aquarium and are especially useful in aquaria which contain sand beds that require stirring.

[Macca]

I thought I answers this earlier today? My posts are going missing.

Ye the info given on the site is a general rule but after observing these critters, I need to change the text as it is misguiding, please ignore text on site and go with my reply above.

I will update info on site.

James

[Blue]

Dont cucumbers release nasty toxins when they die, that could cause issues in the tank.... Wouldnt you be better with either Sand sifting star or some Vibx snails are they called.....

I may have dreamnt the thing about the cucumbers not sure :D

Cucumbers (depending which type)only release the toxin when really, realy stressed, ie very poor water quality.
They are great animals to keep from all the reading and the keeping I have done. They are actually a large source of food for humans in eastern countries. I think they are great. They are rarely toxic to corals, if they release it that is and as long as you did a few water changes, the system would be fine. Most cases where toxins are released are where when the animal died through poor water quality, but the toxin wasn't released because the animal died, it was after, when the animal floated around and was mushed by a powerhead. I truly think it is a shame that these animals have a fearful reputation, when they are no more harmful than if a leather coral dies is your system IMHO :) please, please don't be put off by whispers.

[Dee_Dot_Com]

My tiger tail (The wierd worm Thingy) has be in my tank for quite some time now without any problems, he came in some live rock, I only see him at night though with all ligts off and using a red touch and I have never seen him fully he always leaves a certain amount of him in the tunnel he comes out of