View Full Version : good or bad hitchhiker????
back at it
12/28/2008, 08:04 PM
Today I noticed that I had a new member to my tank! I was able to identify it as a tiger tail sea cucumber (holothuria Hilia) Seems that these cucumbers sift through the sand at night and are beneficial to reef tanks. The only thing I'm worried about is this species of cucumber can release toxins in the water if attacked by a crab or other predators. This toxin is very poisonous to fish and has been known to wipe out a whole tank. Does anyone have experience with this type of cucumber. Advice on keeping it or getting rid of it would be appreciated. Note I caught it and it's in my refugium for now.
Misled
12/28/2008, 09:35 PM
It's fine, I've had one in my tank for 3 years. If it's a tigertail, it's not the toxic type.
cczarnik
12/28/2008, 09:57 PM
Have a look at: http://www.advancedaquarist.com/issues/jan2003/invert.htm
I've had a donkey dung cuke pass with no visible stress to inhabitants, but have never had a tiger tail.
Plenty of stern warnings out there (including a disclaimer on liveaquaria.com for this species).
Tylt33
12/28/2008, 10:02 PM
I've had a tiger tail without any problems in terms of poison. It did, however, cause my tank to crash because of the nutrients it stirred up (I didn't have any type of nutrient export at that point). Are you sure it's a tiger tail? Never heard of one of those hitch hiking. That's a $20 hitch hiker.
aentrop
12/28/2008, 11:49 PM
keep it!
beachbumva
12/29/2008, 01:11 AM
also would keep it,,very nice hitchiker and also surprised it made it due to intolerance to nitrate. I also never knew them to be toxic. the yellow and other ones are toxic but the tiger tail is safe as far as I know. Live aquaria has it as the only one not listed as toxic as well.
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