Did that really happen?!?!?

ReeferMaddness843 · Feb 28, 2017

Nature amazes me more every day. Long story short. I have a tige tail cuke that was getting rather large. I'd say about 2.5-3 ft long. The other day I noticed he was only about a third of his length. Immediately I assumed he burrowed under something and got smushed. Then, like a lizard would do, dropped his "tail" and kept it moving. Well, I peek in my tank this eve after lights out and I have TWO, that's right, TWO fully developed cukes munching sand in my tank. Did he really just split and become two? Here's the two I found this eve.

Mikemccafe · Mar 1, 2017

That's cool, I was curious about this topic of sea cucumber reproduction. I googled it the other day and the information said they reproduce sexually like worms, both releasing gametes into the water column. You can't doubt what you saw with your own eyes, I assumed they would also reproduce like anemones . Thanks for your observation.

wkscott · Mar 1, 2017

Mikemccafe said:
That's cool, I was curious about this topic of sea cucumber reproduction. I googled it the other day and the information said they reproduce sexually like worms, both releasing gametes into the water column. You can't doubt what you saw with your own eyes, I assumed they would also reproduce like anemones . Thanks for your observation.

Although worms can reproduce sexually, most can be cut in half and both sides become new worms. Many plant and animal species can reproduce in more than one way.

InvertEnvy · Mar 1, 2017

Yes he did become 2 cucs!! My tigertail split about 2 months ago. Mine usually stay on opossite ends of the tank. I think it's called transverse fission when they split like that [emoji3]

AdamNC · Mar 2, 2017

Mine split after a mini crash. Thinking about selling one though, really don't need 2 in a nano tank. But they both seem fat and happy.

ReeferMaddness843 · Mar 2, 2017

I'm calling my lfs tomorrow to see if they would like one as well for some credit. I'd rather have one healthy one than two struggling for food as well myself. Have some frags to cut up also so hope to maybe accrue enough for either some new toys to setup my other tank properly, one of the kessil a80 for my fuge I turned into second display, or the always present option of new coral. Lol.