sea cucumbers?

what are the advantages/disadvantages of have a sea cucumber?

 

Advantage: None really over anything else. Scavenger.
Disadvantage: can release toxins that will kill entire tank. Much like an anemone, but even worse.
I stick to my snails and hermits, personally

 

+1

even though I have 2 in my tank now I like them. For Diversity and are great scavangers for the detris. but you want to know which ones to get as some are floor scavangers and others are just filter feeders which you will rarely ever see. I have one each. my Black one is a filter feeder who sits on rocks with it's tenicals out catching food that passes by.

 

I thought it was mostly only the brightly colored ones that would release toxins? The drab brown ones I heard were safe and do an excellent job cleaning the sand.

I have a brown one... ugly thing but it cleans the sand like no ones business. It has grown from about 2" to 6-7" since I've had it. Fastest growing thing in the tank!

 

The Sea Apples are the worse, if stressed, will wipe-out your entire tank. Which is why I dont have one, I dont need any help wiping out my tank, I can do this all by myself....lol





Luna

 

the pink and black cucumbers will wipe ur tank out too and are much more mobile. Look at the threads I have started. Been there and done that. (didn't learn much cuz I have a sea apple now)

 

Here is some good reading to clear up some common misconceptions about the sea cucumber.

Aquarium Invertebrates

 

Good article, that was my understanding as well.

 

I have a Sea Apple that, until just recently, hasn't moved. It has been months. Now is it on the prowl.....which means the food in the water column is not sufficient. I have no problem with SC that are not motile, or motile SC need to be protected from all intakes and aggressive fish. The Sea Apple is OK to have and will only go poof if placed in a defensive position. Same with the others. Just read up and understand what you are getting into. They require expert care IMO.

 

Cukes are fine in a tank unless you have someone harrasing it. They expel there digestive track as a defense and that is what is toxic. If you have aggressive fish in your tank then I would leave them alone. If you tank is peacefull, they will be a great addition.