Amphipod and Cuke question

[Spiffyguy]

I picked up a Tiger Tail cuke from my LFS to help clean my sand. I have noticed though that some amphipods have staked out a claim on his body. They over around his mouth and back end. Even in the folds of his skin and under him. It does not appear to bother him but what do I know. I have even seen a small bristle worm in the folds too.

Should I be worried?

I certainly don't want my cuke to get eaten or beat up. My last cuke was rather retarded and didn't go on the sand at all. Hung out on the glass until he started to starve. I took back to the store and got this one. This one is eating sand and seems to be getting food.

Is it possible the amphipods and bristleworms drove the cuke away from the sand?

Thanks

 

[LeslieH]

No. What's more likely is that your first cuke was a filter feeding species rather than a deposit feeder. The filter feeders will hang out on rocks or on the glass so their feeding tentacles are directly out in the water to catch the particles they eat.

 

[Spiffyguy]

ok I have seen this guy ingest sand and I have found little "sand turds" in the tank so that is a good sign.

 

[The steven liu]

Don't worry about the hitchhikers on your cucumber. I put my cucomber in my fuge and it is a taxi to pods and stars.

 

[Spiffyguy]

cool thanks for the info guys.

 

[Spiffyguy]

I am still having concerns about this issue. It has been a week or so and my cuke is not eating sand at all. He gets balled up and doesn't appear to be doing well. During the day there is at least 7 amphipods on it. At night there seems to be a swarm lol. I have even seem bristle worms in the folds. I am concerned he is being bit or harrased in some way that he won't eat. Short of taking back I am not too sure what I can do. I want something that will clean my sand but not if it kills it.

Thanks

 

[capncapo]

The cuke is not getting enough food. Your tank doesn't have enough open area in which it can feed and get a good supply of food.

According to the literature that I have on them they need a minimum of a 100 gallon tank with a DSB in order to survive.

Personally, I would take it back as there is no way it will survive in your tank for long.