What is happening to my cucumber?!

[WABlonde]

We have a sea cucumber that's been fairly busy around the tank. Yesterday he was stretched out a bit funny but then took back to a normal shape. In the photo, you can notice a greenish area in the middle of him that looks almost like a callus.

Today - I turn on the light to say goodmorning to everyone and I find him like this. That 'callus' has burst open. He's still alive and moving - just happened to turn for this photo.. BUT WHAT THE HECK IS HAPPENING? I'm afraid he's dying and don't want him to go toxic in the tank.

 

[WABlonde]

please help!

 

[TJL]

WOW Holy S#!& I'd get him out ASAP into a seperate container and try and reach Dr Lee Birch on his thread 'Marine Fish' to see if he has any idea ?????

Todd

 

[WABlonde]

Thanks Todd. I keep hearing about some members going toxic when they die so I snagged him right now. Had to go to work. So unfortunately without heat and current, he's probably expired. It's been about 2 hours.

 

[TJL]

Well, better safe than sorry. I've seen whole systems crash (retail) when they were placed into tanks with underfed Triggers,Tuskfish and larger Wrasse species. For my best guess I'd say it looks like a bacterial infection from something he must have injested and did internal damage. They are basically a hollow tube and strain out detritus as it passes through them.

Good Luck and keep us posted, Todd

 

[WABlonde]

Thanks. Will be visiting the fish store at lunch time... Poor little dude. He's actually been kinda cool to watch.

 

[DonW]

Is this the tank that just got purchased / moved?

Don

 

[WABlonde]

Yuz. It is. We set it up with the same sand and most of the water. All of our test have come out perfect. Haven't lost a single thing and just so happy with it all. Picked up a few cleaners from a local marine shop. This being one of them. He came to us with the green callus on his back but honestly - I just though it was part of him. Didn't know any different.

 

[DonW]

Please dont take this wrong but your starting off on a bad note. I'd like to see you do well so I'll be blunt SLOW DOWN! According to your post your tank has been up for all of about 4 days and shouldnt have any inverts in it what so ever. Its to soon to tell what if anything is going to spike but by the looks of that CC sand mix its going to. What LFS is selling you inverts for such a new tank? I understand you think its established but its not it just has old stuff in it. Again I'd like to see you do well, but you need to get on the right track.

Don

 

[Faciosity]

Please dont take this wrong but your starting off on a bad note. I'd like to see you do well so I'll be blunt SLOW DOWN! According to your post your tank has been up for all of about 4 days and shouldnt have any inverts in it what so ever. Its to soon to tell what if anything is going to spike but by the looks of that CC sand mix its going to. What LFS is selling you inverts for such a new tank? I understand you think its established but its not it just has old stuff in it. Again I'd like to see you do well, but you need to get on the right track.

Don

I agree! When I entered the hobby, I started moving pretty quickly, and made a few mistakes. I would like to see others avoid this. And to get a cucumber already!? I'm not even ready for that! Please take your time, it will save you money, and save a lot of little critters lives.

 

[Herefishyfishy]

They say it like it is. Old water means nothing. Already cycled rock means little. When you set up a new tank, it needs much time and VERY gradual addition of livestock. There are many threads here on how to do this.

Your tank is brand new and not yet even started into cycling. Almost anything you add will be severely distressed and has a high chance of mortality. Take back your livestock if at all possible or loan to others. The cucumber isn't safe in any tank besides itself as when they are injured or die, they release massive quantities of potent toxins. Sea apples and sea cucumbers are advanced aquariest species

 

[WABlonde]

Thanks Don and Faciosity. Not taking anything the wrong way and agree with you both 100%. With that said.. cuc is going back to where he came from. Tested my waters and they are still all good. I still would like to know what happen to the fella. Don't quite feel like a lesson has been learned when I'm still scratching my head. But will hold off for a long while before making any tank additions. Thanks.

 

[Frankie]

Great advice here. This system is way to new for live stock.
Kinda strange what happen to the sea cucumber
What is the salinity in this tank?

 

[Jen30]

I don't about that...sorry good luck

 

[lvsuckerfish]

they will split kinda like a star fish bubble tip I guess would be a better comparison. in a way I have had tiger tails split in 2 I never caught how it looked as I realized one day I have 2 of them and I only placed on in my tank

 

[lvsuckerfish]

http://www.advancedaquarist.com/issues/jan2003/invert.htm

here is some reading information for you

 

[WABlonde]

^^Good read. Thanks.