Tiger Tail cucumber???

[tunde1228]

I have one in a rock. He hasn't seemed to move for a while and is always inside this one rock. Should I try to remove this guy ? I keep reading about these guys killing off tanks. I'm scared to mess with him. Thanks

 

[jlt23]

They hide most of their body and usually stick it's head out to sift sand. I say leave it alone. Mine hides under my rocks all of the time.

 

[tunde1228]

Thanks

 

[rendos]

Mine all stay in the rock only sticking their heads out to eat sand.
I bought one a few years ago, and have over a dozen now.

 

[NVTE]

That is weird . Mine are crawling out to clean sand at night. Sometimes I found them on the glass.
I don't see them killing fish or clean up crews at all.

 

[justin231]

I have two in my 75, they walk around at night cleaning the sand. They have not bothered any of my fish or CUC.

 

[SeaSlug]

I have one in a rock. He hasn't seemed to move for a while and is always inside this one rock. Should I try to remove this guy ? I keep reading about these guys killing off tanks. I'm scared to mess with him. Thanks

Are you sure were talking about a " Cucumber " here . Cucmber's come out at night ( when all lights are off ) and stretch out along the sand bed to eat/sift sand . The only way I could see him staying hidden in a rock after lights out is if he was being picked at . Sounds to me like your talking about a bristle worm . Did you purchase the cucmber and add him to your tank ? Got a picture ?

 

[tunde1228]

I think he's a Tiger tail. There were 3 more in the tank. I bought the rock from someone who put them in his tank. I have read that if they are crushed they release a toxin that can wipe out everything, and that they can turn themselves inside out if dying ?

 

[tunde1228]

It never leaves that rock. Gets bigger sometimes, but I never see it anywhere but right there.

 

[SeaSlug]

He's definitely a Tiger tail. There were 3 more in the tank. I bought the rock from someone who put them in his tank. I have read that if they are crushed they release a toxin that can wipe out everything, and that they can turn themselves inside out if dying ? /Users/ejohnson19396/Pictures/iPhoto Library/Originals/2009/Aug 16, 2009/DSC01253.JPG

Yes the above is true...........but they should come out at night , they do not eat prepared foods , they only sift sand . Would still like to see a picture for a positive ID .

 

[SeaSlug]

I think he's a Tiger tail. There were 3 more in the tank. I bought the rock from someone who put them in his tank. I have read that if they are crushed they release a toxin that can wipe out everything, and that they can turn themselves inside out if dying ?

Ok......looks like a cucumber,at night when all lights are off try and see if they come out to the sand bed , hopefully you have at least a 2 inch sand bed . they must have this to survive . As I said before no cucumbers eat prepared foods , they need diatoms , fish poop , ect ect . In short they eat the sand and swell up . The sand inside them is then striped of all organic matter then pooped out into a pile of pure white sand .

 

[tunde1228]

Is it possible that it could go back the same hole in that rock every morning. I never see it out at night. I sneak in with a flashlight sometimes and check and he's in the rock still. I do have a least 2 1/2 " sand bed. No pure white sand anywhere. The others that I took out were nice and fat and had a tint of yellow to them this poor guy looks pretty grey and skinny. Thanks for the help

 

[tunde1228]

Sometimes those little thorns on him seem to disappear also.

 

[SeaSlug]

Sometimes those little thorns on him seem to disappear also.

The only advice I can give you is to keep an eye out when the lights are off , he could be eating junk in the hole . If he starts to shrivel up pull him out and dispose of him so he doesn't pollute your tank . Your better off being safe than sorry later .

 

[tunde1228]

I pulled him out , and he was shriveled up but alive. He's on his way to Lake Erie. Thanks again for the help you guys/gals are great.