Cucumbers in Reef Tank?

G

guntercb

New member
Hello,

I ended up with two cucumbers (it is a long story). I believe both were collected in Florida or the Caribbean. One is about 4" long and is mainly black with some whitish spots. The other is about 1.5" long and is yellow in color. They are in a 120 gallon reef tank with a 4" sand bed and mainly LPS.

I know that some cucumbers can poison a tank if they become stressed or get sucked into a power head. Should I find these cucumbers another home? Are they OK? What happens when they die?

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,
Chris
 
I have Two cucs in my 90 gal reef and have had No problems. they are great for the sand bed. they are thriving so i don't think they will die anytime soon.About the powerheads. my cucs seem to stay on the sand bed i donot ever see them on the glass. But i also know if you use a powerhead,we all know thay are a magnet for algae eaters!!!!!:eek1:
 
When they do they, they release a toxin. This toxin can kill everything in your tank. That is why I NEVER PUT ANY TYPE OF SEA CUCUMBERS in my tank!!!

REMEMBER, IT ONLY TAKES ONE CUCUMBER TO KILL YOUR WHOLE TANK AND TURN IT INTO A TOXIC WASTE DUMP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
 
I wouldnt be so concerned about the toxicity of sea cucmbers in general. Its true that some are extremely toxic and can nuke your tank, sea apples come to mind here. Here's a quote from Anthony Calfo's Reef Invertebrates.
The legend of Holothurid toxicitiy in aquarium kept specimens is a matter much in need of perspective. First and foremost, a few popular species of Cucmarids commonly known as Sea Apples are indeed potently toxic and potentially fatal to fishes in mixed marine aquariums. However, the overwhelming majority of Holothurids ( Sea Cucmbers )seen in the aquarium trade present no significant if at all measureable risk of toxicity with reasonable aquarium husbandry. They present no greater danger than the keeping of many other discreetly potent invertebrates like sponges or zoantharians ("button polyps")
Click to expand...

The key here is to know what youve got and how to properly meet its needs, as with everything we keep in our tanks. I have one and its a great sand bed cleaner, plus another which I just purchased and is waiting in QT. They do require a sand bed to feed on, about 2 sq. feet minimum per individual.
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8541672#post8541672 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by White Tiger
When they do they, they release a toxin. This toxin can kill everything in your tank. That is why I NEVER PUT ANY TYPE OF SEA CUCUMBERS in my tank!!!

REMEMBER, IT ONLY TAKES ONE CUCUMBER TO KILL YOUR WHOLE TANK AND TURN IT INTO A TOXIC WASTE DUMP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Click to expand...

Just a reminder that Zoo's are toxic, sponges are toxic, etc. We need to keep in perspective what is really a danger to our tanks and what is not. How many aquarists have you seen post on RC who lost their entire tank to a cuke gone bad? Glad to see someone quoted Caflo's book. Please read on whatever you are seeking to keep to learn what is really a danger and what is not.

There are many reasons to not keep select species of cukes and all Sea Apples, but the mass nuking of a tank really isn't one.

Lee
 
The toxicity is really not an issue. Any large dead animal is so as mentioned be sure you know its needs. Protecting your powerheads is just good advice for keeping any animals.

The toxin is a fish toxin and rarely impacts corals etc. But I would say in general problems are very very rare. Now if this were a sea apple that might be a different story. Cucumbers are very common in this hobby, but you don't hear too many stories of tanks crashing because of them.
 
Everyone,

Again thanks. It amazes me how truths can get distorted. I am keeping my cukes. The little yellow cuke was out this morning crusing along the sand bed. Thanks for all your comments. I have no powerheads or intakes for pumps so the cukes should be good there.

Thanks again,
Chris
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8592275#post8592275 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by piercea
I have recently puchased a sea apple from a lfs what should I do to keep it happy
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You're probably gonna want to set up a dedicated system. To meet its needs it will need frequent feedings of phytoplankton/zooplankton. Sea Apples are notoriously poisonous an can destroy most if not all fish in your system which of course can set of a chain of events which could ultimately result in the death of all tank inhabitants. They are beautiful, but if it was me I would return it to the LFS, unless you are willing and have the time to research and follow through with what is going to be required to keep it alive.
 
Bad idea.....been there...done that....lost fish...never again, and yes I know many people who havent had a problem.....I always say to them.....YET is the key word
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8541672#post8541672 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by White Tiger
When they do they, they release a toxin. This toxin can kill everything in your tank. That is why I NEVER PUT ANY TYPE OF SEA CUCUMBERS in my tank!!!

REMEMBER, IT ONLY TAKES ONE CUCUMBER TO KILL YOUR WHOLE TANK AND TURN IT INTO A TOXIC WASTE DUMP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Click to expand...

Of all the cucumbers you are going to run accross in the hobby it is really unlikely that they could kill everything in your tank.
 
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