filter feeding sea cucumber from gulf of mexico

jmmontag · 12-29-2007, 11:11 AM

Hello, I believe I have identified my live rock hitchikers. The rock is from the Gulf of Mexico. I have what looks to be very small filter feeding sea cucumbers. I have at least 4 of them. They show up at dusk and whenever I feed. They are fond of cyclops and baby brine. Can anyone tell me if these are bad? I really think they are neat. I have a low tech system, fairly high in nutrients. I used to have a lot of mushrooms, but now mainly soft, cup, brain coral. Let me know what your opinions are please?

Jason25 · 12-29-2007, 11:35 AM

As far as I am aware cucumbers are great to use as part of your CUC.

tbittner · 12-30-2007, 12:24 AM

Can you post a picture?

jmmontag · 12-30-2007, 02:41 PM

I am sorry I don't have a digital camera ( spent the money on the rock instead) I found a picture exactly like the ones I have on youtube. I will see if I can find the link before I post this. YouTube - Sea Cucumber feeding
I am afraid this is related to sea apples and will be a problem. I have had them for about 5 months now. I hope this helps....

framerguy · 12-30-2007, 03:44 PM

They are a good memeber of the CUC as long as they don't get harrased or injured. That would cause them to release Holothurin which in the ocean just allows them to get away but in the closed system can kill everything. Is it the one in the video? It's such an unusual specimen I'd be tempted to leave it or set up a dedicated system for it. I'm not familiar with that variety though so someone more experienced can say for sure. It's very cool whatever you decide.

jmmontag · 12-30-2007, 03:55 PM

Thank You for the reply. I can't say it is the one in the video. I am not sure where the one in the video is from. I just know mine look just like it. I love watching them eat. Which leads to more w/c. I have not noticed anyone bothering them. I have one bi-color angel who eats sponges, but leaves everyone else alone. I am interested in seeing how big they get ( hopefully) I can only see the tentacles/arms the rest of each one is inside the live rock. I think they are very cool also!

Dentoid · 12-30-2007, 04:38 PM

There is no way of IDing your specimen without a picture. The cucumber in the YouTube video is from around Australia according to the comments made. So the ones you have keep their bodies buried and just extend their feeding apparatus? Do you ever see the body? If so what does it look like?

jmmontag · 12-30-2007, 05:02 PM

Yeah I know I can't say for sure it is the same as the one in the picture. I have never seen the body of any off the cucumbers in my tank. They all are entrenched into the live rock. I was thinking if they were staying in one place and growing that it was good?? I just know the tentacles look the same as the video, and the feeding method is the same. The person I got the live rock from just said they were filter feeding sea cucumbers no scientific name was given.
I don't want to stress them in order to identify them. I am afraid they may be nasty when upset. Even if I could get a picture it would only be of the feeding tentacles ( just like the video) Sorry

jmmontag · 12-30-2007, 05:36 PM

I will try to get pics with my regular camera, put them on disk and see if I can post them.....

12-29-2007, 11:11 AM	#1 (permalink)
jmmontag Tubeworm Join Date: Nov 2007 Posts: 31 View Gallery Karma Komment	filter feeding sea cucumber from gulf of mexico Hello, I believe I have identified my live rock hitchikers. The rock is from the Gulf of Mexico. I have what looks to be very small filter feeding sea cucumbers. I have at least 4 of them. They show up at dusk and whenever I feed. They are fond of cyclops and baby brine. Can anyone tell me if these are bad? I really think they are neat. I have a low tech system, fairly high in nutrients. I used to have a lot of mushrooms, but now mainly soft, cup, brain coral. Let me know what your opinions are please?

12-29-2007, 11:35 AM	#2 (permalink)
Jason25 Elegance coral Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Lancaster,PA Posts: 1,024 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: filter feeding sea cucumber from gulf of mexico As far as I am aware cucumbers are great to use as part of your CUC.

12-30-2007, 12:24 AM	#3 (permalink)
tbittner Watch this Ma! Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Northern VA Posts: 5,562 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: filter feeding sea cucumber from gulf of mexico Can you post a picture? __________________ Terry 150g predator tank full of killers. Soon to be upgraded to a 360g. 450g reef 300g sump.

12-30-2007, 02:41 PM	#4 (permalink)
jmmontag Tubeworm Join Date: Nov 2007 Posts: 31 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: filter feeding sea cucumber from gulf of mexico I am sorry I don't have a digital camera ( spent the money on the rock instead) I found a picture exactly like the ones I have on youtube. I will see if I can find the link before I post this. YouTube - Sea Cucumber feeding I am afraid this is related to sea apples and will be a problem. I have had them for about 5 months now. I hope this helps....

12-30-2007, 03:44 PM	#5 (permalink)
framerguy Tridacna maxima Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Mount Airy, Ga Posts: 4,074 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: filter feeding sea cucumber from gulf of mexico They are a good memeber of the CUC as long as they don't get harrased or injured. That would cause them to release Holothurin which in the ocean just allows them to get away but in the closed system can kill everything. Is it the one in the video? It's such an unusual specimen I'd be tempted to leave it or set up a dedicated system for it. I'm not familiar with that variety though so someone more experienced can say for sure. It's very cool whatever you decide. __________________ ___________________________________ Greg All time fav quote: "Now and then it's good to pause in our pursuit of happiness and just be happy."-Guillaume Apollinaire "Being happy can be as easy as deciding to be!"-Greg Kimsey (framerguy) 375gDT built in wall, 100g sump, Sequence Hammerhead closed loop, 75 gallon mangrove/seagrass/mineral mud refugium, 55 gallon crushed coral/live rock refugium, algae turf scrubber, DIY calcium reactor, DIY kalkwasser mixer, DIY light system w/4x 250MH & 4x54w T5, etc, etc, etc... http://www.reefsanctuary.com/forums/reef-chronicles/31882-akwareum-too.html

12-30-2007, 03:55 PM	#6 (permalink)
jmmontag Tubeworm Join Date: Nov 2007 Posts: 31 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: filter feeding sea cucumber from gulf of mexico Thank You for the reply. I can't say it is the one in the video. I am not sure where the one in the video is from. I just know mine look just like it. I love watching them eat. Which leads to more w/c. I have not noticed anyone bothering them. I have one bi-color angel who eats sponges, but leaves everyone else alone. I am interested in seeing how big they get ( hopefully) I can only see the tentacles/arms the rest of each one is inside the live rock. I think they are very cool also!

12-30-2007, 04:38 PM	#7 (permalink)
Dentoid Over Achiever Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Virginia Posts: 10,827 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: filter feeding sea cucumber from gulf of mexico There is no way of IDing your specimen without a picture. The cucumber in the YouTube video is from around Australia according to the comments made. So the ones you have keep their bodies buried and just extend their feeding apparatus? Do you ever see the body? If so what does it look like? __________________ Scott Dentoid's Reeforama

12-30-2007, 05:02 PM	#8 (permalink)
jmmontag Tubeworm Join Date: Nov 2007 Posts: 31 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: filter feeding sea cucumber from gulf of mexico Yeah I know I can't say for sure it is the same as the one in the picture. I have never seen the body of any off the cucumbers in my tank. They all are entrenched into the live rock. I was thinking if they were staying in one place and growing that it was good?? I just know the tentacles look the same as the video, and the feeding method is the same. The person I got the live rock from just said they were filter feeding sea cucumbers no scientific name was given. I don't want to stress them in order to identify them. I am afraid they may be nasty when upset. Even if I could get a picture it would only be of the feeding tentacles ( just like the video) Sorry

12-30-2007, 05:36 PM	#9 (permalink)
jmmontag Tubeworm Join Date: Nov 2007 Posts: 31 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: filter feeding sea cucumber from gulf of mexico I will try to get pics with my regular camera, put them on disk and see if I can post them.....

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