safe pretty cuccumber anyone?
- Thread starter lildraken
- Start date
JackKerouac
New member
Holoturia hilla 
Looks cool too.
I have it and it works great to keep my few sand in my frag tank clean.
I've read that in case of death it doesn't release any toxin
Looks cool too.
I have it and it works great to keep my few sand in my frag tank clean.
I've read that in case of death it doesn't release any toxin
JackKerouac
New member
I forgot an h
Holothuria hilla
here you can see it :
http://www.liveaquaria.com/product/prod_display.cfm?c=497+502+712&pcatid=712
Holothuria hilla
here you can see it :
http://www.liveaquaria.com/product/prod_display.cfm?c=497+502+712&pcatid=712
friedoysterskin
New member
The only one I can think of is Colochirus robustus, the yellow sea cucumber, maybe pentacta anceps but it melted most of my lps and leathers when it died.
crsswift70
New member
Jackkerouac... read the bottom of the description for the animal you linked "Caution: This species secretes or releases toxins when stressed or injured that may kill fish in the aquarium. LiveAquaria.com cannot accept responsibility for any loss that may occur should this animal poison the aquarium."
"Caution: This species secretes or releases toxins when stressed or injured that may kill fish in the aquarium. LiveAquaria.com cannot accept responsibility for any loss that may occur should this animal poison the aquarium."
JackKerouac
New member
well I just checked in Calfo's Reef invertebrates book he put it H.hilla in the list of the best sea cucumbers
Best choice:
H.floridiana
H.thomasi (that's also a relative of H.hilla)
H.hilla
Pseudothyone
Colochirus robustus
Stichopus shloronotus
He also say that exept few species that are very toxic such as sea apples and violet sea cucumber,most problems to aquarium by a death of a sea cucumber depends of the pollution generate by the death body
Best choice:
H.floridiana
H.thomasi (that's also a relative of H.hilla)
H.hilla
Pseudothyone
Colochirus robustus
Stichopus shloronotus
He also say that exept few species that are very toxic such as sea apples and violet sea cucumber,most problems to aquarium by a death of a sea cucumber depends of the pollution generate by the death body
Guygettnby
New member
can anybody on this forum actually vouch for the fact that cucumbers will kill your tank when they die? i have had a couple of different ones and a few have died with no ill effect to my tank. i have heard the stories and read the warnings, but if you have a small tank i can agree it is not the best idea.
most of the problems i have even heard about are sea apples and not cucumbers.
most of the problems i have even heard about are sea apples and not cucumbers.
I had pink and green filter feeding cucumber, Pentacta anceps and golden sand sifting cucumber (ID unknown, was bought being mistaken for Colochirus robustus, yellow filter feeder). They died after tank crash, in hospital tank, but there were no evisceration and softies and LPS are alive after this. White xenia, anthelia, candycane, mushrooms, cynarina, scolymia, blasto merletti and others.
One of them will require feeding, and another - fine sand to sift.
This is how they will look in store, contracted:
In both cases, heaters (if they are in tank) should be covered by plastic guard.
One of them will require feeding, and another - fine sand to sift.
This is how they will look in store, contracted:
In both cases, heaters (if they are in tank) should be covered by plastic guard.
Eric the half-bee
Passer of gasses
I've had 4 yellow cukes in my tank for 4 months and they are doing well. No problems and they clean the sand well.
billyWhite
New member
Do Cukes seriously, without a doubt, keep the sand clean? Wouldn't they just eat the poop in the sand only to poop it back out in the sand (scientifically speaking)? I'm tired of buying cleaners that don't do their job - my Lawnmower Blenny only eats pellets and my Coral Banded Shrimp won't touch a Bristle Worm.
I'm considering a Cuke to keep my sand clean, but I think they are really really ugly. I think I could tough it out if I was assured he'd stick to his biz and keep that sand clean.
I'm considering a Cuke to keep my sand clean, but I think they are really really ugly. I think I could tough it out if I was assured he'd stick to his biz and keep that sand clean.
crsswift70
New member
Mine does an excellent job although he's slow and doesn't get round as much as i'd like In the morning, i can tell where he has been because there will be a white patch of sand in a semi-circle around the corner where he hangs out. That, and a pile of sand pellets that disintegrate after some current hits them. They take in sand and digest all the algae and bacteria present. What comes out is nice, clean white sand. There are different types, be sure you get the one that actually takes in sand. Some just filter the water.
In the morning, i can tell where he has been because there will be a white patch of sand in a semi-circle around the corner where he hangs out. That, and a pile of sand pellets that disintegrate after some current hits them. They take in sand and digest all the algae and bacteria present. What comes out is nice, clean white sand. There are different types, be sure you get the one that actually takes in sand. Some just filter the water.
Guygettnby
New member
cucumbers without a doubt are one of the best sand cleaners out there. the only problem like stated above is that they move pretty slow and cant get to everything so you need to have a good clean up crew to help the cucumber out. but you want to make sure nothing is bothering or picking at the cucumber either as this will kill it or lead to it not doing its job.
billyWhite
New member
Are there any well-known Cuke harassers?
JackKerouac
New member
Re: cukes
Re: cukes
well if you see by this point of wiev it's not safe to keep Zooanthid (one of the most powerful natural toxin) or many other corals and fishes
Re: cukes
well if you see by this point of wiev it's not safe to keep Zooanthid (one of the most powerful natural toxin) or many other corals and fishes
Amoore311
New member
I have a similar looking cucumber to the Yellow one posted above. My is a tanish color.... he's ugly as sin but that's what makes him so cool.
FWIW a tiger tail cucumber is pretty cool looking I think they get pretty big though. My brother had one die in a 5 Gallon tank and nothing happened at all.
I think the problem lies if the cucumber expels its internal organs. Those are where the toxicity lies in the poisonous ones. From what I've read it's pretty rare for this to happen when the CUC dies. The body would have to decompose to a point where the organs would be exposed in this case.
And also, I have seen peppermint shrimp harass a cucumber. I had a bunch that messed with mine. The peppermints were all removed the next day.
FWIW a tiger tail cucumber is pretty cool looking I think they get pretty big though. My brother had one die in a 5 Gallon tank and nothing happened at all.
I think the problem lies if the cucumber expels its internal organs. Those are where the toxicity lies in the poisonous ones. From what I've read it's pretty rare for this to happen when the CUC dies. The body would have to decompose to a point where the organs would be exposed in this case.
And also, I have seen peppermint shrimp harass a cucumber. I had a bunch that messed with mine. The peppermints were all removed the next day.
Guygettnby
New member
Re: Re: cukes
Re: Re: cukes
i strongly agree with you.
Re: Re: cukes
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12949911#post12949911 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by JackKerouac
well if you see by this point of wiev it's not safe to keep Zooanthid (one of the most powerful natural toxin) or many other corals and fishes
i strongly agree with you.
sterling18
WMAS and HVReef Member
Do I need to cover up my drain and powerhead for a cuccumber?
