Sea Cucumbers

[dakar]

Okay so we've discovered what appear our most industrious cleaners for the sandbed, we started with one who's definately been well fed, so I just added another pair (even if they are quite ugly) and they are going to town. Given the rather large surface area of our tank bottom I'm thinking another pair might not be a bad idea, maybe get a bit fancier tiger tails, black, or something different, these are just what I guess run of the mill variety (green/yellow). No matter how ugly the new ones are, they are just so cool to watch work.

Anyone know just how big these guys can get? I don't want to get to the point they could starve themselves by overpopulating the tank.

I'm assuming they should be safe in the seahorse tank as well?

[davejnz]

I've been considering getting one for my DSB reef,do they do a good job of eating detritus?

[Reptoreef]

IMO,they are awesome for the SB so long as it is "dirty"... they are a filter feeding detritus vacuum with an endless appetite. I've had 1 for the life of my tank and 2 more...originaly in the fuge(starving???). Anyways, all 3 are in the display and seem quite happy.

[Sea~Horse~Whisperer]

I have one that is huge and a smaller one. I will be getting 2 more asap. They out clean anything else in the tank by far. The only problem I've had with them is that about once a month they end up in the overflows. I just gently scoop them up and put them back in the sand. One time i had 1 in each overflow, silly things.


Angie

[Reef_Angel]

How did they get in the overflow Angie? Ours stay only on the bottom in the sand. They don't have to be beautiful looking things folks, just hungry ones. They work so hard, you never see them unless they happen to lumber out or they leave half of their body behind them when they are headed back under the rocks to get back to work! They get bought very quickly when the LFS's get them in, so if you want one, buy it when you see it. We ordered one out of the catalog and got one that is only 1/4" long. We set it on a rock, and it never moved and I believe is still sitting there eating in that same spot. It's going to take that guy forever to become big enough to be anything. We were disappointed in that purchase, so you might want to always buy them as seen.
I wouldn't say our sand bed is "dirty". It's just the usual stuff that builds up under the rocks that you can't see. The fish stir it up here and there, and we see it in the front and that's what people refer to as "dirty". This is the stuff we have clean up crews for, and these guys are good! :tongue3:

[carpenterwrasse]

since i am new i have some cetching up to do.....I have had several over the years and love the work they do but they will play havac with your levels when they suddenly disappear. and mine have traveled to all cornors of my tank even through my lr

[dakar]

Our count is up to 4 (plus that itty bitty guy), they are still going strong.

They should be safe enough for the Pony Corral, huh? Figuring 1 should be plenty.

[Reptoreef]

Should... how deep is the SB???

[dakar]

Should... how deep is the SB???

Sandbed is 2.5" - 3" deep.