Sea Apple

[Aquarius]

Hello new to r2r and would just like to find some answers.
So I purchased a Sea Apple and it has been doing good as far as I can tell. It found a spot and has stayed put. Everyday I see it actively feeding. Then one day it poops a crab out. Now it has this string hanging out of it.

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just wondering if anyone has any idea what this is. Thanks in advance.

 

[Naiad]

Likely a pea crab living inside. Without a pic can't tell if it was just along for the ride or harmful. I believe that orange strand may be some of the apples organs that got expelled with the crab.

 

[Aquarius]

It was Snow White and dead. Sent the organs usually white or is it only the respiratory system?

 

[Naiad]

Hmmm. I wonder if it was just a molt and the crab is still in there...

 

[Aquarius]

Here is a pic of the crab.

 

[Naiad]

Yep that is a pea crab. Rare in apples. Did any of your CUC go after it?

 

[Aquarius]

No we scooped it out and it wasn't moving. So it is possible that it was just a molt. I think I may qt it just in case.

 

[Naiad]

I would read up on the sea apples. They have a poor survival rate. If you qt he will need constant feedings

 

[Aquarius]

Okay thank you for the info.

 

[joshkirkland83]

Yeah its a tank killer. When it dies it takes all fish and coral with it. I will never have another one.

 

[Aquarius]

So take it back and save myself the hard lesson? I suppose it isn't very necessary to have it besides the wow factor and color it adds.

 

[joshkirkland83]

So take it back and save myself the hard lesson? I suppose it isn't very necessary to have it besides the wow factor and color it adds.

Yes i would definitely. That *** thing cost me thousands. Its no way worth it in my opinion. But, that was my first and LAST experience with one.

 

[Squishie89]

So take it back and save myself the hard lesson? I suppose it isn't very necessary to have it besides the wow factor and color it adds.

It is not a guanantee it will kill all your fish. It however is a risk. I suggest you read this- https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/cucumber-fish-killing-toxin-my-experience-and-how-to-deal.161424/
Sea apples are even more delicate than sand sifting cukes, they require free floating micro organisms constantly (think phyto and other foods like that), not to mention they can walk themselves into pumps.

 

[DanConnor]

A sea apple is a reasonable risk for an advanced aquarist who intends to provide a regular supply of phyto and good conditions. If you aren't that, probably best to avoid.

 

[imaan]

i have a sea apple for 1 years. and its good. i feed it with my corals 2 times in week. 1 time phyto and 1 time zeo. i think it eat phyto

 

[gashunk]

I've had one on my tank for about 6months now lfs gave it to me for free he was scared it would crash his system and its been thriving in my tank now and I do bi weekly water changes and I've recently started testing my paramas and everything been a little on the high side even my salt and it still thriving good so its pretty hard to kill it but if that happens just take it out once it starts dying and do a water change n you'll be good

 

[Aquarius]

Just an update, the strand is gone, the Apple has began feeding again, still debating whether to gamble with it. Thanks for the input.

 

[Naiad]

Yea cucumbers have the ability to expel their entire digestive tract and some how live so I'm sure disloging a tiny bit was no big deal to him. Just be very careful about powerheads! I would look into target feeding him just to ensure he is getting enough.

 

[Aquarius]

Yea cucumbers have the ability to expel their entire digestive tract and some how live so I'm sure disloging a tiny bit was no big deal to him. Just be very careful about powerheads! I would look into target feeding him just to ensure he is getting enough.

Yes thank you, that is what we do, it really opens up and goes to town when we target feed, I appreciate all the input. And believe me, I have have been doing a ton of research. I really to like the appearance of it, it is quite unique.