Tiger tail cuke

[bluce]

I have seen many vendors and aquarists recommend getting a tiger tail cuke for part of the cleanup crew in an aquarium. I also think they add a nice piece of biodiversity. I have also heard some say that cukes are a time bomb waiting to crash your entire tank - I know I would never get a "sea apple" cuke as they seem to be the most toxic.

 

My question - is it worth getting 1 tiger tail cuke for a 76 gallon tank? And does anyone have a good idea of the real risks involved?

 

Thanks for your input in advance.

[zygote2k]

Myths are great in this hobby.

Most of the cukes and sea apples are reef safe.

They and any other organism of similar size would be toxic to a tank if it died.

I've seen many reef tanks over the years with big sea apples and never heard of them nuking a tank.

I currently have a Donkey Dung cuke in my home tank.

[Chad]

Sea apples, walk into it with your eyes open by doing research, here is a good start (go eat one and find out if it is poisonous if you think it is a myth, Rob), most of the others are OK.

 

Just make sure that you have enough sand bed to keep it comfortable and realize that many of the species get large.

Here is a cucumber article to get you going

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

and a recipe just to show most of this type (meaning non-filter feeding) are not poisonous (btw, this is one of my soon-to-be mother-in-law's favorite dishes)

http://www.healthy-chinese-recipe.com/braised-sea-cucumbers-recipe.html

[zygote2k]

Sea apples, walk into it with your eyes open by doing research, here is a good start (go eat one and find out if it is poisonous if you think it is a myth, Rob)

 

Here's something directly from that article, Chad.

" In general, it is only when a sea apple is extremely stressed that they will actually release the toxic chemicals that are capable of wiping out an aquarium, and many people have had one of these animals die in their tanks without any evidence of toxic release."

[bluce]

Thanks for the opinions guys.

Anyone have a tiger tail cuke, chime in please.

 

Too funny Chad "btw, this is one of my soon-to-be mother-in-law's favorite dishes" Sea Cuke for dinner - nasty

Your mother in law is from Asia?

[PupChow]

Had the same tiger tail in my old 30g and later 65g tank for 3+ years, 0 issue.

[Chad]

Don't misunderstand me, I think the myth (as most do) exaggerates the risk of sea apples. But they are poisonous and are capable of killing everything in your tank so underplaying it is not the right way either, understanding and education is the best way to proceed. But enough of that.

 

Yes she is, Taiwan. She is an awesome cook, so I feel that I would have to eat it if she cooked it, but she hasn't cooked it for us yet (not sure she will, my fiance is not a fan).

 

I have had a tiger tail in my sand bed sump tank for about a year, it has been doing fine in there, but I rarely see it.

 

 

[trockafella]

Ive had one in my 72 for over a year and half, never had an issue. It does a great job of scavenging the bottom, and an interesting creature to observe. I believe its extremely hardy as well, its lived through a move and a couple small disasters.. I think its worth having..

[BowieReefer84]

Live Aquaria has some sea apples on a sale http://www.liveaquaria.com/product/prod_display.cfm?c=747+2663+710&pcatid=710

 

Pretty sweet looking.

[Origami]

For what it's worth, I've had a Holothuria mexicana (donkey dung) cuke in my tank for 3-1/2 years with no issues. The tiger tail sea cucumber is in the same holothuria genus, but is Holothuria thomasi. Their close relation may provide you some confidence in their relative safety for your tank.

[mogurnda]

Two comments, FWIW. 1) I have had small donkey dung cukes, and they have been fine. One even was shredded through a pump (doh!) without causing problems. 2) Tiger tail cukes get HUGE. I don't know how fast they grow, but I have seen 5 footers on the reef.

[Origami]

Two comments, FWIW. 1) I have had small donkey dung cukes, and they have been fine. One even was shredded through a pump (doh!) without causing problems. 2) Tiger tail cukes get HUGE. I don't know how fast they grow, but I have seen 5 footers on the reef.

 

I hadn't realized that they grew that large! That would be a sight, huh? Up to 2 meters according to this page:

http://species-identification.org/species.php?species_group=caribbean_diving_guide&id=378

 

Holothuria mexicana, on the other hand, can attain 30 cm (about a foot):

http://species-identification.org/species.php?species_group=caribbean_diving_guide&id=377&menuentry=soorten

[bluce]

Thanks for all the input - I believe I will stay away from the sea apple - just to be on the safe side and get the tiger tail.

If he gets too big in a few years that will give me an excuse to upgrade

 

I always get great input from the board on WAMAS - incredible resource!

[trockafella]

Mine has grown in the last 18months, but not all that much, maybe a couple inches at most, and it eats constantly. I think you will be happy with your pick up. And the sea apple cukes arent nearly as active..

[davelin315]

Sea apples are filter feeders so honestly are not part of a real clean up crew. The sand consuming cucumbers are awesome... until your large Imperator turns them into a meal. I've lost 4 types, the last two directly attributable to him eating them - a tiger tail and donkey dung. They are fantastic sand cleaners that are well worth having if you've got the real estate to feed them.