Black Sea Cucumber, Edible Sea Cucumber

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Black Sea Cucumber

Scientific Name

Holothuria spp.

Reef Compatible

Yes

Care Level

Intermediate

Disposition

Peaceful

Min. Tank Size

50 gallons

Mature Size

12 inches

Placement in tank

Sand

Diet

Detrivore

Range

Indo-Pacific, Hawaii

Size Class

view chart

Curator's Note

Sea Cucumbers emit a toxin called holothurin. If you notice an oily residue on the surface of the acclimation container, fine cucumber floating on top of the water, any cloudiness in the bag, or note that the acclimation water is very discolored do not add cucumber or acclimation water to the aquarium. If bothered by hermits, fish or any other animal it shares it’s aquarium with it may eject it’s viscera as a survival mechanism and kill off some of the fish and invertebrates it shares it’s aquarium with. Acclimate in a container separate from other purchases.

Other Common Names

Edible Sea Cucumber

Description

Sea Cucumbers are great for keeping the top ½” or so of sediment detritus and algae free and must be kept in aquariums with deep sand beds. Acting like a vacuum cleaner, the cucumbers appear to consume sand and drop it out the back end. What they are actually doing is filtering out small detritus particles and bacteria which it finds quite tasty. Sea Cucumbers are somewhat reclusive and can be seen more frequently after lights out in the aquarium. They reproduce by means of asexual fission where they will break into two cucumbers.

If you have a lot of algae build up or a dirty sandbed, it is often worth the possible risk of having a cucumber in the aquarium. In an established and well balanced aquarium, a healthy specimen, when acclimated properly, will offer years of hassle free service and be a welcome clean up crew member.

Diet

Sea Cucumbers are herbivores and spend their time eating detritus, sediment and diatom and micro algae.