Cucumbers

Sea cucumbers are fascinating and unique invertebrates that can make interesting additions to a reef aquarium. Belonging to the class Holothuroidea, they are echinoderms, closely related to sea stars and sea urchins. Sea cucumbers are known for their elongated, leathery bodies and their ability to expel their internal organs as a defense mechanism, which they can later regenerate. They play a crucial role in marine ecosystems as detritivores, consuming detritus and organic matter from the substrate, thereby helping to maintain water quality and nutrient balance in the aquarium.

When considering sea cucumbers for your aquarium, it's important to choose species that are suitable for a captive environment. Some popular species include the Holothuria thomasi and the Holothuria edulis. These species are generally hardy and can adapt well to aquarium life. However, caution must be taken as some species can release toxins when stressed, which can be harmful to other tank inhabitants.

Sea cucumbers require a mature aquarium with a well-established sand bed and plenty of live rock. They thrive in environments with moderate to high water flow, which helps distribute food particles. Regular monitoring of water parameters is essential to ensure a stable environment, as sea cucumbers are sensitive to changes in water quality. Additionally, they should be provided with a diet rich in detritus, microalgae, and supplemental feeding if necessary.

Overall, sea cucumbers can be beneficial and intriguing additions to a reef aquarium, contributing to the overall health and cleanliness of the tank while offering unique behaviors and appearances for hobbyists to enjoy.

1. Common name: Bannwarth's Sea Cucumber

   Scientific name: Actinopyga bannwarthi
2. 
   Common name: Spiny Sea Cucumber

   Scientific name: Actinopyga crassa
3. 
   Common name: Brownfish

   Scientific name: Actinopyga echinites
4. 
   Common name: stone fish (holothurian)

   Scientific name: Actinopyga lecanora
5. 
   Common name: Surf redfish

   Scientific name: Actinopyga mauritiana
6. Common name: Plump sea cucumber

   Scientific name: Actinopyga obesa
7. 
   Common name: California Sea Cucumber

   Scientific name: Apostichopus californicus
8. 
   Common name: Warty sea cucumber

   Scientific name: Apostichopus parvimensis
9. 
   Common name: New zealand sea cucumber

   Scientific name: Australostichopus mollis
10. 
    Common name: Leopard Sea Cucumber

    Scientific name: Bohadschia argus
11. 
    Common name: Pale marbled sea cucumber

    Scientific name: Bohadschia marmorata
12. Common name: Brownspotted sandfish

    Scientific name: Bohadschia vitiensis
13. 
    Common name: Sea Cucumber

    Scientific name: Colochirus crassus
14. 
    Common name: Thorny sea cucumber

    Scientific name: Colochirus quadrangularis
15. 
    Common name: robust sea cucumber

    Scientific name: Colochirus robustus
16. 
    Common name: Lion's Paw Sea Cucumber

    Scientific name: Euapta godeffroyi
17. Common name: beaded sea cucumber

    Scientific name: Euapta lappa
18. 
    Common name: lolly fish (holothurian)

    Scientific name: Holothuria atra
19. 
    Common name: Tiger Tail Sea Cucumber

    Scientific name: Holothuria difficilis
20. 
    Common name: pinkfish sea cucumber

    Scientific name: Holothuria edulis
21. 
    Common name: florida sea cucumber

    Scientific name: Holothuria floridana
22. 
    Common name: Black sea cucumber

    Scientific name: Holothuria forskali
23. 
    Common name: Brown spot sea cucumber

    Scientific name: Holothuria fuscopunctata
24. Common name: Tiger-Tail Sea Cucumber

    Scientific name: Holothuria hilla
25. Common name: impatient sea cucumber

    Scientific name: Holothuria impatiens
26. 
    Common name: donkey dung sea cucumber

    Scientific name: Holothuria mexicana
27. 
    Common name: Black teatfish

    Scientific name: Holothuria nobilis
28. 
    Common name: Leopard Sea Cucumber

    Scientific name: Holothuria pardalis
29. 
    Common name: Tiger Tail Sea Cucumber

    Scientific name: Holothuria pervicax
30. Common name: sand fish

    Scientific name: Holothuria scabra
31. 
    Common name: Tiger Tail Sea Cucumber

    Scientific name: Holothuria thomasi
32. 
    Common name: cotton-spinner

    Scientific name: Holothuria tubulosa
33. 
    Common name: Black teatfish

    Scientific name: Holothuria whitmaei
34. 
    Common name: four-sided sea cucumber

    Scientific name: Isostichopus badionotus
35. Common name: Royal Sea Cucumber

    Scientific name: Parastichopus regalis
36. 
    Common name: sea apple

    Scientific name: Pseudocolochirus violaceus
37. Common name: greenfish

    Scientific name: Stichopus chloronotus
38. 
    Common name: Curryfish

    Scientific name: Stichopus herrmanni
39. 
    Common name: Dragonfish

    Scientific name: Stichopus horrens
40. 
    Common name: Pineapple Sea Cucumber

    Scientific name: Stichopus monotuberculatus
41. Common name: Nose Sea Cucumber

    Scientific name: Stichopus naso
42. Common name: Curryfish

    Scientific name: Stichopus vastus
43. 
    Common name: Spotted Worm Sea Cucumber

    Scientific name: Synapta maculata
44. 
    Common name: Lampert's Sea Cucumber

    Scientific name: Synaptula lamperti
45. 
    Common name: Prickly Redfish

    Scientific name: Thelenota ananas
46. 
    Common name: Amberfish

    Scientific name: Thelenota anax
47. 
    Common name: Red-lined Sea Cucumber

    Scientific name: Thelenota rubralineata