new hitchhiker/invert id

[morgan]

hey just found this in a buket full of rock not very colourful not sure if its a cucumber or a sea apple and there isnt any pics of eaither on the site i had an australian sea apple and it was really nice a bright wish there was a pic of that many ppl would like to see that i think but yeh anyone know what this is its about an inch long
cheers morgs

 

[spongebob lover]

ohhh boy that's a weird one!! .
I seriously don't know dood... i hope someone can tell you what it is but i wouldn't put it in my tank .

 

[Krish]

Hey Morgan...I've seen similar things here, but don't know what they are. Not sure if they were called sea cucumbers, sea cows or what! Someone will know though...

 

[MarineTeng]

looks kinda like a sea hare without the huge backside but the front? i think it's the front anyways looks like it

 

[morgan]

Its a cucumber or sea apple im just spun out theres no pics of them ill have to find some and take sum at the lfs so u can all see them

 

[LaloV.]

Agree, it´s a Sea apple.
BTW it is dying. Take it out if you have not.

 

[morgan]

how y know its dying

 

[NaH2O]

I'd definately say that's a filter feeding sea cucumber. With there being so many different varieties, it is hard to know what the death of this critter would do to your system. Have a peek at these articles. Here's a quote from the second link:

Of course the ambient levels of chemicals and the exact identity and toxicitiy of them vary from species to species, and the general statement made by Charles that the "turd cukes are less toxic than the colorful filter feeders" is a pretty reasonable generalization (or at least the concentrations and variety of toxic chemicals in the Aspidochirotiacea is generally lower than those of the Dendrochirotacea), but there are plenty of exceptions, and the fact that there is a behavioral component makes it impossible to predict the effect of any given cuke in any given tank when something particular happens.

Sea Cucumbers - Part II Rob Toonen

Cucumber Defences, Rob Toonen

Sea Apples by Rob Toonen

 

[morgan]

i dont think it was dying it was active and they do cum in diff colours i would like to know why u think it was dying from that pic it did not appear sick and is already in my system the chances of finding it now are slim

 

[NaH2O]

morgan - I'm not sure if it is dying or not. It is difficult for me to say based on the picture. I think most get smaller and smaller. Keep an eye on it if you can. Check out the first link I posted above, and give it a good read. There is a section on reef tanks and the "cuke nuke". I do know someone that had a sea apple (not saying yours is a sea apple), her tang took a nip at it, and the sea apple destroyed her entire system. Learn as much as you can about filter feeding sea cucumbers, so you can provide a good environment.