I purchased a Stichopus chloronotus Black Sea Cucumber about a month ago hoping it would take care of detritous in my tank. The guy at the store told me this was a good idea but didn't give me any warnings. Since then I'm hearing all this stuff about cukes disgorging themselves and releasing toxins. Mine hasn't done that, even when I've moved him around (which I'll now be more wary of doing). Anyway, my question is about the poisoning of the tank. I read somewhere that although all cukes disgorge themselves, not all of them release poisonous toxins. Mostly the types like Sea Apples are the dangerous ones. Is this true? If my black cuke is capable of killing off my tank I would like to know before I add anything else to it.
Thanks!
Tracy
P.S.--I usually DO research the items before I add them to my tank, but this one I obviously didn't do enough. I'll be more careful next time!
Tracy,
Sea Apples are sure "cuke nukes". I wouldn't worry too much about
a Black Cucumber. I bought one just last week. The last
one I had
seems to have vanished without a trace/effect. (I haven't seen
it for at
least a year and a half.) I suspect that they don't do well over
time
unless they have a lot of detritus to consume and that they will wither
away if they don't get enough to eat.
Regards,
Bob D.
