Common name: Sea Cucumbers
Holothuroidea, commonly known as sea cucumbers, are a fascinating class of echinoderms that are highly valued in the reefkeeping hobby for their unique appearance and beneficial roles in aquarium ecosystems. These marine invertebrates are named for their elongated, cucumber-like shape and are closely related to sea stars and sea urchins. Sea cucumbers are found in a variety of marine environments, from shallow coastal waters to the deep sea, and they play crucial roles in nutrient cycling and sediment turnover.
One of the most interesting aspects of sea cucumbers is their feeding behavior. They are detritivores, meaning they consume decomposing organic matter and detritus found on the ocean floor. This makes them excellent natural cleaners for aquariums, as they help maintain water quality by breaking down waste materials. Sea cucumbers use their tentacle-like tube feet to capture food particles, which they then ingest through their mouth located at one end of their body.
In terms of care, sea cucumbers require specific conditions to thrive in home aquariums. They prefer stable, well-established tanks with plenty of live rock and a sandy substrate, which mimics their natural habitat. It is important to ensure that the aquarium is free of sharp objects that could damage their soft bodies. Additionally, some species of sea cucumbers have the ability to expel their internal organs as a defense mechanism when stressed, which can be harmful to other tank inhabitants, so it's crucial to handle them with care.
Sea cucumbers exhibit a wide range of colors and sizes, making them an interesting addition to any marine aquarium. However, hobbyists should research individual species to understand their specific needs and compatibility with other tank mates. Overall, Holothuroidea are not only captivating creatures to observe but also serve as vital contributors to the health and balance of marine ecosystems.
- Common name: Bannwarth's Sea CucumberScientific name: Actinopyga bannwarthi
- Common name: Spiny Sea CucumberScientific name: Actinopyga crassa
- Common name: BrownfishScientific name: Actinopyga echinites
- Common name: stone fish (holothurian)Scientific name: Actinopyga lecanora
- Common name: Surf redfishScientific name: Actinopyga mauritiana
- Common name: Plump sea cucumberScientific name: Actinopyga obesa
- Common name: California Sea CucumberScientific name: Apostichopus californicus
- Common name: Warty sea cucumberScientific name: Apostichopus parvimensis
- Common name: New zealand sea cucumberScientific name: Australostichopus mollis
- Common name: Leopard Sea CucumberScientific name: Bohadschia argus
- Common name: Pale marbled sea cucumberScientific name: Bohadschia marmorata
- Common name: Brownspotted sandfishScientific name: Bohadschia vitiensis
- Common name: Red box sea cucumberScientific name: Cercodemas anceps
- Common name: Sea CucumberScientific name: Colochirus crassus
- Common name: Thorny sea cucumberScientific name: Colochirus quadrangularis
- Common name: robust sea cucumberScientific name: Colochirus robustus
- Common name: Lion's Paw Sea CucumberScientific name: Euapta godeffroyi
- Common name: beaded sea cucumberScientific name: Euapta lappa
- Common name: lolly fish (holothurian)Scientific name: Holothuria atra
- Common name: Tiger Tail Sea CucumberScientific name: Holothuria difficilis
- Common name: pinkfish sea cucumberScientific name: Holothuria edulis
- Common name: florida sea cucumberScientific name: Holothuria floridana
- Common name: Black sea cucumberScientific name: Holothuria forskali
- Common name: Brown spot sea cucumberScientific name: Holothuria fuscopunctata
- Common name: Tiger-Tail Sea CucumberScientific name: Holothuria hilla
- Common name: impatient sea cucumberScientific name: Holothuria impatiens
- Common name: donkey dung sea cucumberScientific name: Holothuria mexicana
- Common name: Black teatfishScientific name: Holothuria nobilis
- Common name: Leopard Sea CucumberScientific name: Holothuria pardalis
- Common name: Tiger Tail Sea CucumberScientific name: Holothuria pervicax
- Common name: sand fishScientific name: Holothuria scabra
- Common name: tiger tail sea cocumberScientific name: Holothuria thomasi
- Common name: cotton-spinnerScientific name: Holothuria tubulosa
- Common name: Black teatfishScientific name: Holothuria whitmaei
- Common name: four-sided sea cucumberScientific name: Isostichopus badionotus
- Common name: Large Burrowing Sea CucumberScientific name: Massinium magnum
- Common name: Conspicuous Sea CucumberScientific name: Opheodesoma spectabilis
- Common name: Royal Sea CucumberScientific name: Parastichopus regalis
- Common name: Graeffe's Sea CucumberScientific name: Pearsonothuria graeffei
- Common name: Cotton Candy NudibranchScientific name: Polyplectana kefersteinii
- Common name: sea appleScientific name: Pseudocolochirus violaceus
- Common name: greenfishScientific name: Stichopus chloronotus
- Common name: CurryfishScientific name: Stichopus herrmanni
- Common name: DragonfishScientific name: Stichopus horrens
- Common name: Pineapple Sea CucumberScientific name: Stichopus monotuberculatus
- Common name: Nose Sea CucumberScientific name: Stichopus naso
- Common name: CurryfishScientific name: Stichopus vastus
- Common name: Spotted Worm Sea CucumberScientific name: Synapta maculata
- Common name: Lampert's Sea CucumberScientific name: Synaptula lamperti
- Common name: Prickly RedfishScientific name: Thelenota ananas
- Common name: AmberfishScientific name: Thelenota anax
- Common name: Red-lined Sea CucumberScientific name: Thelenota rubralineata