Atlantic Sea Cucumber
(Holothuria floridana)
QUICK STATS
Care Level: Easy
Temperament: Peaceful
Water Conditions: 72-78° F, dKH 8-12, sg 1.023-1.025, pH 8.1-8.4
Max. Size: 1′
Color Form: Black, Green, Red
Venomous: Poisonous When Stressed or Dies
Diet: Omnivore
Origin: Atlantic Ocean, Caribbean
Family: Holothuriidae

The Sea Cucumber, also known as the Edible Sea Cucumber, was first described by scientists in 1830. It has a long, pink to reddish-brown body, which is usually darker dorsally, often green or black.

It does well in a large aquarium if provided with ample room to roam. Generally, for every 3 inches of sea cucumber there should be 20 gallons of water. It prefers a thick sandy substrate so it can scour through the sand for organic foods. The Sea Cucumber will spend most of its time in the open, though it may carry a thin film of sand over its body. It needs to be kept with peaceful tank mates. It is sensitive to high levels of copper-based medications and will not tolerate high nitrate levels.

While it does not have the toxic tubules of Culvier that many cucumbers have, if frightened, it might disgorge its interal organs into the tank, which may be toxic to fish. In the wild, these organs often regenerate, but rarely in an aquarium setting.

It is extremely difficult to breed in an aquarium, and has no distinguishing characteristics to help differentiate it from its mate.

If not overstocked, the Sea Cucumber does not need supplemental feeding.

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Sea Apple
(Pseudocolochirus violaceus)
QUICK STATS
Care Level: Expert Only
Temperament: Peaceful
Reef Compatible: Yes
Water Conditions: 72-78° F, dKH 8-12, sg 1.023-1.025, pH 8.1-8.4
Max. Size: 8″
Color Form: Blue, Red, Yellow
Venomous: Poisonous When Stressed or Dies
Diet: Filter Feeder
Origin: Indonesia, Singapore
Family: Cucumariidae

The body and tentacles of the Sea Apple, or Philippine Sea Apple, can be a vareity of colors, but it always has yellow feet. The oral region is usually blue to violet, hence the common name Violet Sea Apple or Violet Sea Urchin.

It prefers an established reef aquarium with room to move about, and large amounts of live rock from which it receives a majority of its food. Once it finds a favorable location, usually in a high current area, the Sea Apple will generally stay there. Protect all intakes on pumps and power heads, to eliminate any possibility of being sucked in. It is very sensitive to high levels of copper-based medications. Sudden changes in pH or salinity can cause it to shed its oral tentacles.

Do not house these cucumbers in an aquarium that contains any fish that may pick on its tentacles. Generally, any fish that is prone to pick on feather dusters, will pick on the tentacles of the Indonesian Sea Apple. These fish include; Butterflyfish, Large Angels, and any species that is listed not safe with invertebrates.

When feeding, it will extend its oral tentacles into the current to filter out food. As the food is trapped, it will then draw its entire tentacle into its mouth. In the aquarium, it will need to be fed a diet of phytoplankton - frozen, liquid, or dried - on a daily basis.

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Australian Sea Apple
(Pseudocolochirus axilogus)
QUICK STATS
Care Level: Expert Only
Temperament: Peaceful
Reef Compatible: Yes
Water Conditions: 72-78° F, dKH 8-12, sg 1.023-1.025, pH 8.1-8.4
Max. Size: 7″
Color Form: Blue, Red, Yellow
Venomous: Poisonous When Stressed or Dies
Diet: Filter Feeder
Origin: Northern Australia
Family: Cucumariidae

The body of the Sea Apple, or Australian Sea Apple, is light to dark blue, and it has red feet. The tentacles are violet, blue, red, and have white tips. This a beautiful species that will add a new dimension of color to the reef aquarium.

It prefers an established reef aquarium with room to move about, and large amounts of live rock from which it receives a majority of its food. Once it finds a favorable location, usually in a high current area, the Sea Apple will generally stay there. Protect all intakes on pumps and power heads, to eliminate any possibility of being sucked in. It is very sensitive to high levels of copper-based medications. Sudden changes in pH or salinity can cause it to shed its oral tentacles.

Do not house these cucumbers in an aquarium that contains any fish that may pick on its tentacles. Generally, any fish that is prone to pick on feather dusters, will pick on the tentacles of the Australian Sea Apple. These fish include; Butterflyfish, Large Angels, and any species that is listed not safe with invertebrates.

When feeding, it will extend its oral tentacles into the current to filter out food. As the food is trapped, it will then draw its entire tentacle into its mouth. In the aquarium, it will need to be fed a diet of phytoplankton - frozen, liquid, or dried - on a daily basis.

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Yellow Sea Cucumber
(Colochirus robustus)
QUICK STATS
Care Level: Easy
Temperament: Peaceful
Water Conditions: 72-78° F, sg 1.023-1.025, pH 8.1-8.4
Max. Size: 2″
Color Form: Yellow
Venomous: Poisonous When Stressed or Dies
Diet: Omnivore
Origin: Indian Ocean, Western Pacific
Family: Cucumariidae

The Yellow Sea Cucumber which originates from the Indian Ocean is very striking in appearance. They are bright yellow in coloration and have an elongated body with spikey projections. When feeding, the Yellow Sea Cucumber extends their branchy feeding arms into the current. These are beautiful filter feeders for an established reef aquarium.

The Yellow Sea Cucumber requires live rock to provide the nutrients it needs to sustain its health. It will usually find a location with moderate to strong current. It is a filter-feeding cucumber and similar in nature to the Sea Apple. If attacked or injured, it may release mild toxins, but due to its small size, will not pose a threat in the average sized aquarium. The Yellow Sea Cucumber is very sensitive to copper-based medications and it will not tolerate high nitrate levels.

If a small group is kept, spawning in the home aquarium is possible. They may also reproduce by dividing into 2 individuals. This may come about due to stress, or may be a sign of good health.

The diet of a Yellow Sea Cucumber should include liquid or dried phyto and zoo plankton. They will also benefit from the substrate being stirred regularly releasing bacteria and detritus into the water. When malnourished, they will shrink in size, and may lose feeding arms. If these signs are noticed, increase the number of feedings, and target the cucumber with the appropriate food.

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Sea Cucumber
(Holothuria sp.)
QUICK STATS
Care Level: Easy
Temperament: Peaceful
Water Conditions: 72-78° F, dKH 8-12, sg 1.023-1.025, pH 8.1-8.4
Max. Size: 1′
Color Form: Black, Green, Red, Tan
Venomous: Poisonous When Stressed or Dies
Diet: Omnivore
Origin: Indo-Pacific
Family: Holothuriidae

The Sea Cucumber, also known as the Edible Sea Cucumber, was first described by scientists in 1830. It has a long, pink to reddish-brown body, which is usually darker dorsally, often green or black.

It does well in a large aquarium if provided with ample room to roam. Generally, for every 3 inches of sea cucumber there should be 20 gallons of water. It prefers a thick sandy substrate so it can scour through the sand for organic foods. The Sea Cucumber will spend most of its time in the open, though it may carry a thin film of sand over its body. It needs to be kept with peaceful tank mates. It is sensitive to high levels of copper-based medications and will not tolerate high nitrate levels.

While it does not have the toxic tubules of Culvier that many cucumbers have, if frightened, it might disgorge its interal organs into the tank, which may be toxic to fish. In the wild, these organs often regenerate, but rarely in an aquarium setting.

It is extremely difficult to breed in an aquarium, and has no distinguishing characteristics to help differentiate it from its mate.

If not overstocked, the Sea Cucumber does not need supplemental feeding.

Shop for Sea Cucumber at LiveAquaria.com