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FAQs about Sea Cucumber Identification
Related Articles: Sea Cucumber, Marine
Scavengers, Sand Sifters
Related FAQs: Sea Cucumbers 1, Sea Cucumbers 2, Cuke
Behavior, Cuke Compatibility,
Cuke Selection, Cuke
Systems, Cuke Feeding,
Cuke Disease, Cuke
Reproduction,
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Medusa? --nope, sea cucumber ID-05/14/08
Hello guys and gals, I have a quick question for you. . .
Is this a Medusa worm?
<nope>
I have two of them to my knowledge. I have searched and this sure sounds like a
medusa from what I've read, but I haven't seen any pics that actually look like
this. These things came with a little substrate I got from the LFS to seed my
tank with. They can contract to about .5" and they actually will look like a
peanut when all shriveled up, but they can get about 2-3 inches long when
expanded. There are little tentacle things that are radically oriented in the
mouth. The tentacles are constantly feeling around for food and help the thing
to move around. Each tentacle also has smaller tentacles on it.
<'Tis a sea cucumber. Please see here: http://www.wetwebmedia.com/seacukes.htm>
I found them when I dumped the substrate in, but I have them isolated outside of
the tank right now. I've read bad things about medusa worms and sea cucumbers in
tanks etc, so I'm not sure if I should allow these to be in the tank. I have a
90 gallon fish/reef tank with a 20 gallon sump and an AquaC urchin skimmer. (I
know, the skimmer is undersized, but the bigger one wouldn't fit in the sump
under the tank!)
<Congrats... they are cool critters. Enjoy!>
Great site, and thanks for the help!
Scott S. Heck
<De nada,
Sara M.>
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Sea Cucumber--good idea? bad idea?
05/14/08
Very cool, thanks for answering what these things are! Can you tell me how large
these particular ones get? I assume there is still a decent amount of
risk as far as something making them mad and poisoning my tank? I'm a little
wary of putting them in after reading about them on your site!
<Oh, sorry about that. That article is more about the bigger cucumbers that
might be sold as pets. These little ones that come in as hitch hikers aren't
likely much of a threat. I wouldn't worry about them. There are probably more in
your tank anyway (you might never even find them!). If you're really worried,
just run some extra activated carbon.>
Thanks again!
Scott S. Heck
<Best,
Sara M.>
Re: Sea Cucumber--good idea? bad idea? 05/14/08
Sweet, in they go!
Thanks again!
Scott S. Heck |
Hitchhiker ID - some kind of cucumber 2/27/08
WetWebMedia Crew-
First off thanks for your work on the site. It has been an
invaluable resource to me for the past 5 years and without it I
would never have been
able to start the successful reef tank I have today. I also bought a
copy of Bob Fenner's book which I loan out regularly to potential
new reefers.
<"They call him the pusher..." Heeeee!>
I have about 50 lbs of mixed South Pacific live rock in my 30 gallon
tank with a 1 inch layer of sand. My tank has been running for 1
year and 8
months.
While siphoning I accidentally discovered an interesting hitchhiker
which is undoubtedly a Cucumber of some sort.
I was hoping you might be able to help me identify it. The picture
is attached.
<Mmm, is definitely a Cuke... Most reminds me of a Holothuria
edulis...>
It's transparent with a slightly iridescent purple hue. I've
accidentally dug it up twice while siphoning, but otherwise is never
visible above the
sand. I've "found" it twice and it's definitely grown a bit since I
last saw it.
WetWebMedia supporter,
Wellington Lee
<I do think it's a "keeper"... and testimony to your good care of
the system. Cheers, Bob Fenner> |
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Please ID
this Slug... cuke 01/18/2008
Dear Crew,
<<Hello Andrew, Andrew here>>
I've just started curing live rock and this (see photo) crawled out,
should I be worried?
<<That is a Stichopus chloronotus, or more commonly known as a sea
cucumber. More information can be found here
http://www.wetwebmedia.com/seacukes.htm >>
I know that there are slugs and worms that live exclusively on
corals, and as I plan on putting corals in this tank I am anxious.
Also, I'm using a Red Sea Prizm skimmer, and was wondering how I
tune it.
<<These are a "VERY" temperamental skimmer indeed. Its just a matter
of adjusting the water value. Not the best of skimmers really and I
would look to consider an upgrade in the near future>>
I know there is valve on it that restricts water flow, but I'm not
sure what kind of skimmate (I think that's what it's called) I
should be aiming for. At the moment, the skimmer is running on
maximum flow rate, and is churning out a foggy water-ish skimmate,
should I be aiming for a think sludge, or froth?
<<Running correctly, you should end up with dark brown/green sludge
in the collection chamber>>
I've tried researching this, and all I've found was that this
skimmer requires daily attention. Please excuse my ignorance, as
this is my first attempt at a marine tank.
I appreciate any help you can give me, Andrew
<<Thanks for the questions, A Nixon>> |
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Sea
cucumber... Yes 8/23/07
Dear reader,
<Hello Tineke, Mich with you tonight.>
Maybe you can help me with this cucumber.
<Will try.>
It is found in the Red sea and only at night dives.
<I hope to visit there next year! Are you certain this animal is
from the Red Sea? Looks like a Tiger tail sea cucumber (Holothuria
thomasi) to me. But these originate from the Caribbean. There is a
Pacific Tiger tail cucumber (Holothuria hilla), which is also quite
similar.>
It pulls himself back as soon as you put your lamp on the animal.
<Perhaps it is a Synapta maculata, which are typically nocturnal and
found in the Red Sea.>
Have you any idea in which direction I have to look?
<Mmm, I'm not finding much of a database for these creatures. You
can find more here and related links in blue:
http://www.wetwebmedia.com/seacukes.htm>
Is it a Holothuria?
<Is a Holothurid, but not certain if it is a Holothuria.>
Or from another family?
<Perhaps Synaptidae.>
And are this two the same?
<The pics look the same, but...>
It would be great if you can help me.
<I wish I could be more helpful.>
Thank you in advance,
<Welcome.>
Tineke Smit
<Michelle Lemech>
Ede, Holland. |
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Re: Sea Cucumber... Yes... and
the Red Sea, biota, human experience generally 7/25/07
Hello Mich,
<Hello again Tineke.>
Thank you for answering my question.
<Welcome!>
I know it is very difficult to determinate an animal from a photo.
<Sometime yes, sometimes no.>
I'm not a biologic educated but I managed with books and the Internet to
find the names.
<I am biologically educated, and rely on books, and the Internet as
well. And am still at a loss sometimes.>
Most is done now but the sea cucumbers are difficult.
<Yes, they can be. Some creatures more so than others.>
As you can see by the pictures.. I still don’t know if they are right.
<Me neither.>
Are you specialised in cucumbers?
<Oh, no. Not by a long shot! I am merely a hobbyist with a science
background, who enjoys helping out others and answering ID questions. I
am certainly not a cucumber expert by any means, but I do have cucumber
viscera still stuck on my dive gloves that I can't seem to remove...
Guess that's what I get for molesting the wildlife.>
It is hard to find a site that is specialised in Red Sea creatures.
<I can imagine. Bob does have quite a few articles on WWM that are
specific to different geographic regions.>
Great that you coming to the Red Sea!
<I hope! "Nothing is done, until it's done" so said a wise man to me.>
It is almost the best place to be underwater.
<I do hope to see it for myself, someday soon!>
I have seen many different places underwater but I'm still in love with
the Red Sea.
<I hope to! But as of yet, my experiences are still quite limited. It is
wonderful to hear your passion.>
The night dives are great and you have to make them!
<Will try! Have only done one night dive thus far... a fruitless, manta
ray dive in Hawaii... wound up with a couple of different types of
urchin spine in my thigh! Ouch! Just removed a little piece this week
that's been there since January!>
Really. If you want to know something about the Red sea, no problems,
you can ask me.
<Cool! Don't know what to ask at this point, but I thank you for your
most kind offer and will keep your email on hand.
Greetings,
Tineke
<Cheers, Mich> |
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| Euapta godeffroyi or
Synaptamaculata |
Holothuria hilla |
_pardalis__or__Stichopus_variegatus1.jpg) _pardalis__or__Stichopus_variegatus_.jpg) |
| Bohadschia tenuissima |
Holothuria (Lessonothuria)
pardalis or Stichopus variegatus |
_1.jpg)
_.jpg) |
| Holothurie gigante
(Thelenota anax) |
Odd Invert With Eight Tree Branch
Shaped Tentacles! Holothuroid 8/21/07
Hello Crew,
<Hi Sean, Mich here.>
I have scoured the net trying to identify the invertebrate in the
attached picture. Since I've been able to successfully identify
several of my other LR hitchhikers on your site I thought I'd ask
the experts. While the photo does not show it well the tentacles are
very dark near the base then become the white with reddish bands
further out. This particular invert appears to have eight tentacles
similar to tree branches that are constantly curling back into
itself like it is bringing food into its mouth. Only one tentacle at
a time appears to move towards the "mouth" area. If there is a
significant movement near it it will pull all the tentacles back
into the small hole in the live rock. Each tentacle shown here is
about 1.5 - 2 inches long and they emanate from a hole that is
approximately the circumference of a thin, adult pinkie finger. Any
ideas on what type of invert this may be or something else that
behaves similarly?
<Is a Sea Cucumber, we just recently had another query like this
with a very similar picture.
http://www.wetwebmedia.com/cukeidfaqs.htm
Fellow crewmember, Lynn did and excellent job describing the needs,
care, and provided links to relevant reference information. Please
refer to the query titled:
Anemone Id? Nope, It’s A Cuke! 8/10/07 >
Best regards,
Sean
<Cheers, Mich> |
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Anemone
Id? Nope, It’s A Cuke! 8/10/07
Hello again Crew.
<Hi Daniel>
I was wondering if any of you could venture a guess as to what this
is. <I’ll sure try> It looks to me like it could be some sort of
anemone, but I couldn't find anything that looked similar to it.
When I first saw it, I thought it might be a basket star. (Because
of the arms...) <The first time I saw one of these in my tank, I
thought the same thing!> Looking at it more closely, it has a stalk
or tube that the oral disk is on, so I am assuming it couldn't be a
star. <You're right> I tried to get a picture of it both open and
closed to help with the ID, but I couldn't get it to focus well when
it was closed. <That’s okay, I know how difficult it can be to get
those pictures! In this case, the “Open Mouth” photo was a big
help!>
Here is what little I know about it: It is attached to a piece of
live rock, it opens at night, and it seems to be feeding by
inserting its arms into its oral cavity. (It almost looks like a
child sucking its fingers clean.) <Apt description> It is about an
inch across including the arms, and the oral disk is about a quarter
inch in diameter. When putting its arm into its oral cavity, the
mouth opens almost the entire diameter of the oral cavity.
If there is any other information that might help you ID this, let
me know and I will do my best to find out. (Or get a better picture)
<Thanks, Daniel, I think we’re okay with what you’ve sent. What
you’re seeing in the “Open Mouth” photo are the feeding tentacles of
a dendrochirote holothuroid, or sea cucumber. Some “cukes” lumber
around on/burrow into the substrate, gathering/feeding the sediments
into their mouths by means of short tentacles. Others are
suspension/filter feeders and are generally stationary, many times
living within a crevice. This is the type you have. They feed by
means of extending their sticky/branched tentacles out into the
water column, bringing any food back to the mouth - one tentacle at
a time, in the manner you so aptly described! It does look a lot
like the cuke is licking its “fingers”! Keeping these guys alive can
be a challenge, as they need lots of food to survive. However, if
you’ve got a mature system, with enough nutrients, etc, in the
water, it could last for quite a while. One thing with holothuroids
that’s always a concern though, is the dreaded “cuke nuke”. When
holothuroids die, or are stressed, they can release a toxic
substance into the water, sometimes with tragic results. Some
species are worse than others regarding this, so it just depends on
tank/cuke size and what specie you have (and I’m sorry to say that I
can’t Id it to that level). However, it sounds like the one you have
is fairly small, and hopefully stays that way. Unless you’ve got a
very small tank, chances are good that you'd be okay. This is
especially true if you know the cuke's in trouble, and employ good
skimming, water changes, and carbon use. I’d just keep an eye on it.
Signs of decline would include the cuke not extending its tentacles
regularly, not capturing/returning food to its mouth very often (say
about once/minute), and a slow shrinking of overall size. That last
factor would be difficult to determine if the cuke is hidden in the
rock, so you’ll most likely have to depend on the first two
indicators. Personally, I think cukes are fascinating little
creatures, but unfortunately, they do come with some caveats. Please
read through these links for more info re:
http://www.wetwebmedia.com/seacukes.htm
http://www.reefs.org/library/aquarium_net/0498/0498_3.html
http://www.advancedaquarist.com/issues/jan2003/invert.htm>
Thank you for your time.
Daniel
<You're most welcome! -Lynn>
Re: Anemone Id? Nope, It’s A
Cuke! 8/10/07
<Hi Daniel>
Thank you for your help. <You're very welcome, and thank you for
writing us. I always love seeing what interesting critters show up
in people’s tanks!> I never would have thought to look through sea
cukes...
<I know what you mean. If you’ve never seen one before, it’s not
exactly the first thing that comes to mind! I know the first time I
saw one, it just about drove me nuts trying to figure out what it
was. Anyway, I’m glad I was able to help. Take care and let us know
if there's anything else we can do for you! –Lynn>
Daniel |
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Sea
Cucumber 5/31/07
Found this on the beach on Jekyll Island in Georgia, someone
thought it may be a sea cucumber?
<Bingo!>
Thanks,
Michele
<You're very welcome! -Lynn> |
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Starfish Reproduced? Not this time - 08/15/06
Hey guys,
Quick question for you. I have two green Bahama starfish in my 90gal
tank. Tonight, it looked like one of the starfish everted its stomach,
but after about 10 minutes, I looked back and it left a whole section of
what I thought was its stomach on the glass and it moved on. The 'gunk'
was sticking to the glass with some tube feet, so I thought it may have
eaten one of my sandsifting starfish and it disagreed with him, but upon
closer examination, the 'gunk' started to unravel and move about. I'm
guessing it just reproduced, but right now it looks like a cucumber. I'm
attaching pictures, so if you could confirm what I'm seeing, I'd
appreciate it. Hope the pics are not too large.
First pic is the starfish.
Second pic is what it 'released'
<Does appear to be an actual sea cucumber... might have been ingested...
and egested (for sure!)... not palatable. Thanks for sending this
account, pix along. Bob Fenner> |
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Re: Starfish Reproduced? - 08/15/06
Bob,
Thank you for the quick reply. I do have one concern though. I did not
have any sea cucumbers in my tank to start with. I avoided purchasing
them for the potential of poisoning a tank upon stress/death.
<Likely a "recruit"... most likely came in as part of live rock...
perhaps live sand, or other hard substrate with other livestock>
I'll keep researching I guess. It has very similar skin to the green
Bahama starfish with greenish color and small spikes on the body. I
don't have enough knowledge about reproduction,
<Can be found in textbooks, the Net... looks to me to be a Holothuroid
though...>
so I can't say that is what happened though. If you'd like me to send
you occasional updates, let me know.
<Thank you, please do. Bob Fenner> |
Sea Cucumber 2/9/06
I have had this cucumber for about two years now and am unable to locate an
identification of it. It is doing fine and does a great job of keeping my
sandbed as well as the rocks cleaned of all detritus, Am just wishing to call it
something other than "that green one". I realize cucumber identification is very
easily done, thanks for any help possible. This specimen was collected by myself
here in the Philippines. <Charles, I've looked through whatever pics we have on
our site and other sites and can't find a match. There are about 900 species of
cucumbers and you may have to google for a while to find it. We just don't have
the time to do this. I do believe it is a member of the Holothuria genus, may
help narrow your search parameters down. James (Salty Dog)>
Charles Raabe
TWA Sea cucumber ID
Hello
<Hi there>
I know that I definitely have several sea cucumbers, but haven't been able
to locate the species. I live in the Bahamas and harvested them from a
tidal area under some rocks. The cucumbers are a light grayish brown with
little nodules al over the skin. They are quite active at night and during
the day hide in the base of my live rock. I use a mixture of sands in my
reef tank and them seem to rotate between digging in the sand and "surfing
the live rock with their mouths. Can you please give me your best guess at
to what species they are and whether or not they will be good for my tank
long term. The seem to benefit as well when I feed invert smorgasbord from
coral life.
Regards,
J. Andrew Thompson
<Can't say off-hand by your description, but you might look on WWM re the
group... and if it were me living and diving in the Bahamas I would definitely
have a set of Paul Humann and Ned DeLoach's works on the identification of reef
life there... Am sure their comb-bound guides include this holothuroid. Bob
Fenner>
Sponge?
Greetings: Have searched your archives and forum, but haven't seen these, and I'd like
to know if they're "bad" or "good". They resemble small (.5 to 1
cm) pineapples, but appear to be sponges. They prefer lower light in my 125 reef tank and my 44 FOWLR, judging by
placement. I've attached a small photo. One or two reside on live rock, but
most are on "reef bones" or other dead / ornamental rock. Bob's book discusses sponges that can harm other invertebrates, and I have various
corals / anemones. Any worries?
<Don't think so... do they move about? Looks like a small sea cucumber to me... oriented as it is on its apparent side... with processes/tentacles grouped on one end>
Also, I have very small (1mm) hard, white objects on plumbing and glass. They're semi-circular, looking like miniscule gnocchi (sans alfredo or
marinara sauce). Any concerns there?
<Nope... these are very likely tubiculous tubeworms... large ones are often called
featherdusters...>
Indispensable web site and archives! Have found answers to every question (few hundred or so!) since starting a year ago. Someone needs to collate
your archives into a curriculum.
<Yikes... you're frightening me...>
My fish and invertebrates most sincerely THANK YOU for putting in all the hours answering these questions.
Jon in da Nort'woods
<Bob Fenner in strangely rainy Southern Cal.> |
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Re: Sponge?
Re: question on mobility of sponge / sea cucumber: they are stationary; I can't detect any motion at all.
<Strange, but not unheard of... there are holothuroids/cucumbers that are immobile... filter feeders>
I looked closely at live rock in my reef, and can see about 25 more of these organisms, some very small. All are in
areas shaded from my lights. Tank is about 6 months old, with ammonia, nitrite, phosphate all at zero and nitrate near zero. Calcium a bit low (I
think) at 260. Same w/ 44 FOWLR tank, which has about 10 of these interesting guys. Hope I'm not seeing an outbreak of something harmful.
Tentacles / processes don't seem to retract (at least during the day). Live rock is supposedly from Fiji.
Jon
<Not harmful likely... could be siphoned out if they bother you... and could be something else... sponges even! Examination under a low-power microscope, use of a decent reference work will disclose the phylum... Bob Fenner>
Cuke Question
Bob, Anthony, et. al.,
<howdy, my Texan friend>
Just read your entire sea cucumber section a day after I was talked into buying a sea cucumber at my LFS. What did I learn?.....to ALWAYS thoroughly research everything before putting into your tank!
<Ha!... rather ironic as you soon shall see>
Especially when you have a 10-gallon nano, like me. (Doh!) Other inhabitants are a Candy Cane, Green Star Polyps & assorted mushrooms (three are Ricordea). In short, this little guy's going back to the LFS tomorrow, but thought I'd see if you can ID him before he hits the road (pic attached). See you around, Ross, DFW/Texas
<the cuke you have purchased is Holothuria thomasi, AKA Tiger Tail cucumber. They are known to reach lengths of 4 to 6 feet! You might say that it would be too large for a 10 gallon aquarium. You made the right call :) Best regards, Anthony> |
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Re: Id please?
Hi Crew!
<Cheers!>
I just purchased some more LR and this creature was a hitching a ride on it. I'm
assuming it's a cucumber.
<correct... a Holothuroid sea cucumber>
Can you ID it?
<not from this photo my friend. Have you seen it distend filter feeding
appendages in to the water column to suggest that it could be a Cucumarid? Or
instead bury them like a Holothurids?>
Are these safe to be in a tank?
<the later more than the former. Most all are fairly safe if protected from
pump intakes like we do with anemones>
From what little I've read in the past about cukes is that one should be very
careful/leery about housing one.
<barely>
Is that true?
<overrated IMO>
or they just stir the sand?
<we need a better ID first>
Thanks a million!
Justaguy
<best regards, Anthony>
What is this?!!!! Cucumber?
>Hi Crew,
>>Greetings Jocelyn. Marina here this morning.
>My name is Jocelyn. I am taking care of my husband's saltwater reef tank for
him while he is deployed. I was watching the tank one night with its lights off
to see if I could spot any nocturnal behavior. I had my face inches from the
glass when this "thing" slid out of an opening in the reef. It's
shaped somewhat like a worm, smooth surface and "fleshy" like a worm.
It appears to
be a gray color with a lighter bottom-side. It also had a couple of small rings
around it. Its "mouth" looks a lot like that of an elephant's trunk. I
couldn't see any tentacles, fibers or teeth inside. Just looked like a smooth
opening. It appears to have the ability to stretch way out in length and also
swell to about a little smaller than the radius of a pencil. When I flicked on
the
light, it quickly shriveled in size and retracted into the reef. Its mouth looks
like it's vacuuming the reef. It doesn't crawl or slither. It acts more like one
end of it is attached to the reef and the mouth end stretches out to wherever it
wants to feed. Any clue what this might be? We've had the tank for
over a year and
NEVER seen this before!!! I've been all over Google and can't find anything. Any
help in this matter would be greatly appreciated.
>>Well, it does sound something like what I've seen in Puerto Rico, the
common name there for them is "Los Mojones" (means "The
Turds" in Spanish), however, they are much less flexible in their activity. It
could be a sea cucumber of some sort, is my guess. It is more than
likely a detritus eater, and I would expect it to not be harmful at all to the
system. If anyone else on the crew sees this, or another hobbyist
who's seen it before, maybe we'll get lucky and they'll chime in. Best
wishes to you and your husband, and safe return home (I'm sure you miss him like
the dickens). Marina
What is this?!!!! Cucumber?
>Thank you for your help Marina.
>>Quite welcome, Jocelyn.
>I can't wait to tell my husband there's a "Turd" in his aquarium.
Ha ha ha. I'll continue to watch for it and Its activities. Thanks Again!!
>>Oh my God! LOL!!! He should love that, and so
should his company, eh? Maybe a streaming video would be in order? All
my best, Jocelyn. Marina
Possible sea cucumber?
I just returned from the Bahamas where I did a little snorkeling. I saw
something on the ocean floor (actually I saw 2 of them) that looked like
a gel-type snake. It was whitish or sand colored and coiled up like a
snake might be.
<No marine snakes in the tropical West Atlantic>
It was at least as big around as my wrist and looked
like it was 4 - 6 ft long. The person I was with got freaked out that
it was a snake and wanted to go back to the boat so I didn't get a
chance to watch it for long. On the way back I saw another one that was
smaller, but also coiled up on the ocean floor. I asked the boat
captain (yacht, not dive) if he had ever seen anything like that and he
hadn't. I have snorkeled quite a few places and never seen anything
like that and have been searching the internet today trying to determine
what it was. Any ideas?
Thank you,
Mona Cabler
<Very likely was/were sea cucumbers. Please see here:
http://www.wetwebmedia.com/seacukes.htm
Bob Fenner>
RE: Possible sea cucumber?
Thank you for your prompt reply. I did look through the site before I
sent the question and saw that there were sea cucumbers around the
Bahamas. I did not find any pictures that looked like what I saw, but a
sea cucumber seemed like the most likely answer I have found. They were
long and bigger than I knew sea cucumbers got and of course, now I wish
I would have stayed & watched for a while instead of accompanying the
other person back to the boat. Any suggestions of books or websites
that might have more pictures?
<Paul Humann and Ned DeLoach's Guides are the best here. You can find them on
Amazon et al. Bob Fenner>
Thanks again,
Mona Cabler
Found a strange "worm" thingy
Hello!
What is it??!!
I've search a few of the FAQs and I can't seem to find the answer to my
question... I don't want to say "it looks like a worm" because I don't know
want to put the wrong picture in your head. (Since many people have
different ideas as to what is a worm and what isn't).
I'll try describing it.
It's about a centimeter and a half long. It is brown on top with a dull
yellowish underbelly, and one end is dull yellow. It's about half as thick
as a pencil. And has small brown "knobs" on it that have a black dot on the
tip. I've also seen a couple small, thin yellow arms on the side/bottom of
it.
I found something that looks like it here, kind of:
http://library.thinkquest.org/J001418/seacuc.html
But it doesn't have as many protrusions as that one... I can't tell which
end is the head... Any help in the right direction would be great, thanks!
Jason Thomas France >>
<Hmm, well, it does sound like some sort of Sea Cucumber... and there are a bunch of types it might be... The important bit is that this animal is likely not deleterious... and so, unless it gets really big, or numerous... I would leave it be... and enjoy it!
Bob Fenner>
Identification question
I took the attached photograph in about 15 feet of water off the
coast of Dominica. The area would best be described as
boulders/large rocks.
I was at the end of the roll of film, so I decided to take the
shot with a 20 mm lens (as opposed to a close-up shot), co the
definition could be better.
Any help with an identification would be appreciated - even just a
nudge in the right direction.
<Hmm, looks like the end of a Donkey Dung Sea Cucumber... Holothuria
thomasi... there's a couple of pix of this species on our site: http://WetWebMedia.Com/seacukes.htm
Bob Fenner>
Thanks
Shaun
Critter ID
I will try my best to describe it. First off, I have only seen it twice, both at night. It looks
kind of like a huge snail, but has no shell. It is mostly flat and tear-drop shaped. About 1 inch to 2 inches long, maybe a little longer. It has antennae and little black dot eyes. It suctions up to the glass with its body and moves around quite quickly. It has a separate head and its little circular mouth sucks up to the glass and moves around like a
vacuum cleaner very quickly. It is light-greenish brown in color. Like I said, it doesn't have a shell and is thin, but has
kind of a curved back that looks to have darker sand or something on it - not sure. My concern is that it is pretty damn big and moves pretty quick. I would say it might be a snail without a shell, but I don't know, I have never seen one of those. Thanks for the help with the ID.
<Mmm, curiouser... a separate head? Moves quickly... as in faster than "the average snail"? There are worm, mollusk groups that this stranger may be part of... rather than my fave guess group- sea cukes. If it were up to me, I'd take some pix, show them about on the Net. Bob Fenner>
Loch Ness Monster in my tank!
Hi Bob,
<Hello>
I'm new to reef keeping and have found your site invaluable. I've made mistakes from my own lack of knowledge but I've also run into problems with misinformation from my LFS. I've decided your book goes with me to the store so I can look up any new critter before I bring it home.
<Hmm, wouldn't it be great (or shall I ask, when will it be so?) to have the Worldwide Web
available at the shops? With "bookmarked" sites, sources of information, opinions... like bulletin boards, chatrooms, specialty sites... to render, offer such input?>
We've had a 46 gal tank with no coral set up for a month. It has 50 lbs of cured Fiji
LR + couple pieces of cured Tonga, 40lbs of LS, 20 lbs of crushed coral substrate. I'm using a HOT Red sea Berlin skimmer with a FB 300 Lifeguard Fluidized sand bed filter, a CPR 12"
AquaFuge, for circulation 2 AquaClear 301's, and one ZooMed PowerSweep 226. The system is lit with 144
watts. of power compacts. The water conditions are
ph 8.1
nitrite .1
nitrate 5
ammonia 0-.1
Phosphates 3
<Three? Hopefully 0.3 ppm... Three is too high... as you likely are aware>
Tank is stocked with
4 peppermint shrimp
20 blue legged hermit crabs
1 sandsifting starfish
1. 2" mandarin (He is fat and happy-I take extra special care of feeding him after reading on your site!)
1. 3"-4" Midnight Tomato Clown-am taking him back to LFS-hides all the time and picks on other fish-lesson learned on purchasing too mature of a fish
<You are correct>
1. 2 1/2" Yellow tailed damsel
1. Purple tipped bubble anemone-I read you don't prefer this but was told it would help clown-who's scared of it- and was supposed to be easy first anemone.
1. purple Nudibranch
We purchased 2 pieces of what was supposed to be Cured Tonga LR. We have two identical, unidentifiable creatures. They're scary! The one we've battled with is approx. 6" long, 3/8 to1/2" in width. We thought it looked like a snail or slug but it's surface is hard. It has no apparent eyes or head or tail. It's
grayish, tannish and has small nubs or spikes along its outside edge. It also has black
elliptical patches that run down its back in the center. It's twisted around in the LR and it comes out of its hole at night. It is flat like but thick
when it's out. It moves slowly almost like the Nudibranch. But when we tried to pull it out with plastic tweezers we discovered that its back is shell-like and hard. It is very strong. My 6'3 and 210 lb.
fiancé couldn't pull it out or even squeeze it. The tweezers slipped off and left a small scratch on the casing.
<Take care not to pull too hard, break this organism... more trouble than leaving it be... Likely some sort of sea cucumber... as its hardness points>
Now, you ask, "Why haven't you moved the LR to remove the creature?" Our purple tipped anemone has just attached to the LR.
So the questions are... What is it? Is it bad? Can we move the anemone and take LR out? How do we get creature once out of tank without killing everything on LR?
<Perhaps try offering different foods toward night time... away from the live rock it's typically associated with... to lure it out for removal.>
One more quick question for my reef life line. Are my skimmer, filter, and refugium too much weight hanging on the back of my tank?
<Good question. Should be fine... the compression strength of glass, acrylic are tremendous.>
Thank you so much for your website. We spend hours reading it. We've found your site informative and entertaining. Your regard for the ethics of the hobby are inspiring. Thank you for this much needed service.
<Thank you for your kind words. Life to you. Bob Fenner>
Barb and Justin. See attachment for sketch of creature. Tried to photograph and couldn't. Have never seen creature totally out of the LR.
<< lochness.PCX >>
<What a crack-up! Still am sticking with my holothuroid guess. Be chatting. Bob F>
Cucumber ID
<Paul... Anthony Calfo in your service>
Would it be possible to get a positive idea on this jpeg???
<unclear in popular aquarium literature but it does filter feed like
Cucumaria sp>
I know it is a cucumber but I would love to the specific taxonomic relationship if possible. There is so little known about the this
"cuke" yet available freely in the "reef" trade. Thanks for everything, Bob.
<these filter feeding cucumbers are more difficult to keep in captivity than the
detritivore feeders. If you didn't buy one yet... I'm inclined to suggest that you don't. Without unique plankton generating refugiums
(aliotoms and bacteria from Seagrass refugiums and the like), I
believe that you will have to work hard to help this filter feeder realize a long captive lifespan. Anthony>
Sea Cucumber Identification
Hey we have emailed a few times. I live near Monterey. We talked about
meeting up for a brew or two......or three...... J/K. Not really a drinker.
Anyway, you have a picture on you WetWebMedia (two pink and green colored
cucumbers together (appear to be at the top of the tank) Anyway, I was duped
into buying one about three months ago now. He seems to be doing well. He
grew quite a bit the first few months and now he seems to be slimming down a
bit. Nothing too dramatic.
<This happens>
Quite a neat critter but since I value your
opinion so highly, I will never buy one or recommend one again unless I get
a grant for research. Anyhoo, I was wondering what the hell is this
particular Cucumber. I have asked many all who have no idea other
than....."Yep, that is a cucumber". or "Not sure what species of cucumber
specifically, but I would get rid of it right away". I don't have any fish
just 2 starfish and some snails and crabs. Corals and live rock are the
order of the day. No special filters or protein skimmers. Basically, a 20
gallon refugium that I change water in almost every 2 weeks. Sometimes
earlier. Anyway, Tank just keeps rolling along, but I can't find reference
to this guy on any website other than the picture you display in your
Cucumber FAQ!!!! I would love to get all the taxonomic specs on this guy.
<This is almost certainly a Cucumaria sp., family Cucumariidae, Order
Dendrochirota...>
Anyway, off to Marine Biology class I go......Thanks for all your help in
the past and the present. I will send pictures if you like. One 10 gallon
tank I have had for about a year done the same "refugium style". I get lots
of compliments on it. So I decided to try the 20 gallon. Working out pretty
good. No skimmer or filter other than Caulerpa and live rock/sand. Haven't
lost a coral yet!!!!!! (Probably shouldn't brag about that, I might have
just doomed myself.....wait...knocking on wood) Anyway, water is steam
distilled and salt is added and let to stand for 2 weeks!!!!!! Been working
out great. By the by, my wife and I leave for Palau for our second trip in
less than a years time to get some more macro diving in. We great luck last
time and saw every creature they had to offer (practically). So I am looking
forward to meeting Larry Sharron this time (although I have had trouble
emailing him lately.) We have mutual friends in Palau and just didn't get a
chance to meet up. Do you know him?
<Ahh, strangely enough, just read an email forwarded from Larry (to the AMDA)... still out there after fourteen years. Bob Fenner>
Take care,
Paul Mansur
Orange Knobby Cuke
Hi Bob,
Quick question. Can you tell me the species name for the "Orange Knobby Cuke?" Looking for particulars on this
Cuke but can't come up with the species name. Also, what is your opinion of using cukes for clean up in a reef system? I'm extremely reluctant because I've read tons of frightening articles about them "eviscerating" and wiping out an entire tank of fish. Do you keep them? What's your call on this one?
Tanks,
Peggy
<Please have a read here: http://www.WetWebMedia.com/seacukes.htm and the linked files beyond. Bob Fenner>
A weird slug- type thing in my aquarium.
Hi, I recently got a beautiful 30 lb box of live rock from gulf-view.com .A couple of nights ago, we saw (what appeared to be a leg of a black, spiny starfish) coming out of a hole in one of the rocks. After a couple of minutes we got a better look at it and it was the size of a slug that you would find outside, but it was black with
spots or raised spines, tentacles) that were a cream color on it.
<they were cerata if it was a sea slug/shell-less snail>
Well, after that he was nowhere to be found. Last night, we
see a crevice in another rock with something odd in it also. It has purple tentacles that resemble the "tree" in a sea apple cucumber ( how it looks like there are little branches on it). It has about ten little tentacles that were arranged around a small black space, and it a weird pattern, it would pull one tentacle inside, and push another one out, constantly. It was really like nothing I have ever seen.
<indeed... that most definitely was a sea cucumber>
Today, I see that in the same space that it was in, now looks like a small tip of the slug-type thing I mentioned also.
What could it be? Confused Kristie
<a picture if possible...jpeg and sized smaller for web viewing. Else the description
is too general to help you, alas>
Re: A weird slug- type thing in my aquarium.
I apologize for being confusing, but the sea apple you described is coming
from where the slug crawled into the hole. When it is not active, you can see
the tip of the slugs head/tail. When it is active, it looks like a sea apple.
<alas... without a photo at least, we are just guessing. I can tell you that "the tip of the head/tail" of the perceived slug could not possibly
look like a sea apple. The tentacles of a sea cucumber/apple are feathery with "pinnules" and
move independently like fingers into a mouth. The cerata of a slug simply move like wheat in the wind or look like
tassels. These are wonderful mysteries and discoveries as an aquarist and great to share and learn about in a local aquarium society. If interested...look into the existence of a local club or start your own <wink>. All very exciting :)>
Re: A weird slug- type thing in my aquarium.
The slug was actually what had the tentacles on it and was making all the
movement, so was it still a cerata? it seems that the "tree" comes out of the
tip of the "slug's" body.
<no, my friend. Cerata are the tassels on the back of a sea slug. What you
described as tentacles feeding a mouth (pulling into the center) was simply
a sea cucumber (like a miniature sea apple). Kindly, Anthony>
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