Opinions on Sea Cukes

[myindoorocean]

I'm going to order a detrivore kit from Inland Aquatics, and I noticed they have a bunch of different sea cucumbers. Anyone have opinions on these guys?

Inland Aquatics - Sea Cucumbers

 

[estanoche]

haha well I know many people think they are really gross looking!!

no idea on their long term success in tanks tho, seen them here and there but I honestly haven't watched for many success stories as I'm one of those who think they are too big and ugly for my tank lol

 

[mfinn]

I have one that came in as a hitchhiker with my live rock.
It's a black bumpy one.
I noticed it about 12-13 years ago when it was about 3".
Over the years it grew to approx. 18" long.
But it seems in the last couple years it is getting smaller. It's about 10"-12" now.
Of all the fish and corals in my 240, it's my grandkids favorite. They call it "the thing".
It just keeps doing, what it's suppose to do. Take in dirty sand and poop out clean sand. ( if you can call it cleaned )

 

[nata]

Love mine! He is my little.big acrobat!!

 

[NemCrazy]

I keep several coldwater cucumbers and I like when they spread out their feeders. They look a lil creepy but when they feed the colors are amazing! I also have a baby california cucumber that is as busy as any snail but colorful.

 

[NC2WA]

myindoor,

the only thing you have to watch is when a cuke dies it secretes toxins in the water which can kill everything..

Aquarium Invertebrates: Sea Cucumbers - Part II — Advanced Aquarist | Aquarist Magazine and Blog

 

[wes]

I have several tigertails in my tank and I think they are pretty cool.

 

[myindoorocean]

I have several tigertails in my tank and I think they are pretty cool.

Tigertails look cool. I was also thinking of the yellow one on that page, it doesn't look huge: Colochirus robustus

Colochirus robustus - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Says it only gets to about 3 inches in length.

 

[wes]

Colochirus robustus cucumbers are very cool. They are planktivores instead of detritivores like the tigertails. Although they will eat suspended detritus.The ones I've seen in stores were only an inch or so. Not sure what their max size is.

 

[TJL]

I have a Yellow Caribbean variety that's been in my system for five years give or take now. When I researched them they were supposed to remain small and less toxic than most.. His nickname is"Teenager" just eats and poops.

Cheers, Todd

 

[myindoorocean]

Todd, is this the one you have?

Teenager! Funny!!! I know, I've got 4 in my house right now, and a 20 year old! Yikes!!!

 

[myindoorocean]

Colochirus robustus cucumbers are very cool. They are planktivores instead of detritivores like the tigertails. Although they will eat suspended detritus.The ones I've seen in stores were only an inch or so. Not sure what their max size is.

Seems like detrivores would be better. How big do the tigertails get?

 

[trido]

I picked one up from Rob at Red C and my son named it "Turdy". I haven't seen it do much but it seems to be nocturnal in my tank. I cant blame it since my fox face rabbit tasted it upon introduction to the tank.

 

[wes]

Seems like detrivores would be better. How big do the tigertails get?

Tigertails get up to 18 inches long. Mine are around 12 inches.

 

[myindoorocean]

Tigertails get up to 18 inches long. Mine are around 12 inches.

Yikes! That's big! Don't think I want that in my 112!

 

[wes]

Yikes! That's big! Don't think I want that in my 112!

Yeah they get big. They're not for everyone for sure.