Sea Cucumber Behavior

[McGene]

I added a sea cucumber a while back and he did his thing in the sand -- often unseen.
However, today he's roaming around on the glass -- first time ever!
Is this an indication that he's hungry and the sand bed is no longer providing all he needs?
I could easily capture it and return it to my LFS -- or feed it -- not sure what to feed.
Thoughts -- suggestions, please?
Thanks,
-gene

 

[P-Dub]

I added a sea cucumber a while back and he did his thing in the sand -- often unseen.
However, today he's roaming around on the glass -- first time ever!
Is this an indication that he's hungry and the sand bed is no longer providing all he needs?
I could easily capture it and return it to my LFS -- or feed it -- not sure what to feed.
Thoughts -- suggestions, please?
Thanks,
-gene

See if it remains out of the sand. It is possible that it's hungry or there is something in the sand that has motivated it to leave. Be it the conditions of the tank/sand bed or some other critter. How long ago is "a while back"? Has it grown? Does it appear in poor shape? I wouldn't worry too much yet but you can try placing a Tupperware tray, with holes in the lid full of sand and mix in some small pellet food in the sand. Place him in there, with the cover on and see what happens...

 

[McGene]

Thanks for the response. "a while back" is November 15th. Sorry, I should have been more specific.
Will it eat Nori? I could wrap some on a rock and place it on the sand bed. I assume if they are considered scavengers, they'll eat about anything.

 

[P-Dub]

Thanks for the response. "a while back" is November 15th. Sorry, I should have been more specific.
Will it eat Nori? I could wrap some on a rock and place it on the sand bed. I assume if they are considered scavengers, they'll eat about anything.

It is possible but they are detrivores. I'm not certain about the nori. If you have flake or pellets, I would mix that into the sand in the Tupperware.

 

[McGene]

Bingo! Don't have any pellets -- will get some tomorrow. I do feed flakes now and then -- but sparingly since they can quickly pollute my small tank!
Where the heck is the "Western Pacific" -- Hawaii?

 

[P-Dub]

Bingo! Don't have any pellets -- will get some tomorrow. I do feed flakes now and then -- but sparingly since they can quickly pollute my small tank!
Where the heck is the "Western Pacific" -- Hawaii?

Hawaii is actually eastern/central Pacific. Exacty?... I'll keep you guessing...

 

[McGene]

Too funny! Actually, geography was never my strength. Okay -- let's go with a time zone as a hint

 

[P-Dub]

Too funny! Actually, geography was never my strength. Okay -- let's go with a time zone as a hint

GMT +10
PS - I won't confirm any guesses. But, if I don't deny it...

 

[McGene]

I guess one of these
Australia, New South Wales (NSW), Tasmania (TAS), Victoria (VIC), Australian Capital Territory (ACT) with Canberra capital city +10:00 +11:00 1-st Sunday in October, 02:001-st Sunday in April, 03:00
Australia, Queensland (QLD) +10:00 -

 

[P-Dub]

I guess one of these
Australia, New South Wales (NSW), Tasmania (TAS), Victoria (VIC), Australian Capital Territory (ACT) with Canberra capital city +10:00 +11:00 1-st Sunday in October, 02:001-st Sunday in April, 03:00
Australia, Queensland (QLD) +10:00 -

Negative on all the above.... Care to try again?

 

[McGene]

Guess I stuck out. Used Google to look for countries in GMT +10.
I suppose you'll remain hidden as desired

 

[Jason M Lisowski]

GMT +10
PS - I won't confirm any guesses. But, if I don't deny it...

The Marianas?

 

[Salty Lemon]

Negative on all the above.... Care to try again?

LOL! Okay...now I need to know. This cracks me up. ;Hilarious

 

[McGene]

Indeed, Salty Lemon! Time for a little diversion -- very much needed from time to time
BTW, put some Nori on a clip and placed it near the sand bed. The cucumber hasn't found it yet -- but the strawberry conch has -- and he's lovin' it!!!

 

[P-Dub]

LOL! Okay...now I need to know. This cracks me up. ;Hilarious

Ya gotta keep trying. Remember, I confirm nothing but if I don't deny it....

 

[P-Dub]

The Marianas?

MMMMMMMMMMM.......

 

[Jason M Lisowski]

MMMMMMMMMMM.......

Lucky you! I like it out there.

 

[garbled]

Yes, I have had many before. Generally two behaviors will tell you they are hungry.

1. Climbing the glass. Absolutely hungry.
2. Rapid division.

While the last one seems like a healthy thing, in reality, the cuke is trying to say "there is not enough food for one of my size here, so half of me needs to go find somewhere else to eat."

If your cuke divides, I highly recommend giving away one of the offshoots, and continue to do so, so you just have one. In this way, it will self regulate with the food.

 

[McGene]

Thanks Garbled for the confirmation. As mentioned, I placed some Nori on a clip near the sand bed. Both the conch and the sea cucumber have found it and completely consumed it. Now I wonder if they'll do and grazing in the sand -- which is the reason I bought them -- trying to keep the sand bed looking decent. I have a beautiful Rainford goby -- but he's too small to accomplish much. And, I've shied away from other gobies having read that they tend to make a mess of your corals.

 

[garbled]

I didn't catch the size of your tank, but a conch and a cuke might be way too much. One tiger tail split into 9 pieces in my 125, and all eventually starved. Tiger tails are amazingly efficient. You will probably have to keep feeding them. They are doing you a service by sifting the sand, but just keep an eye on them. (I did not realize at the time what was going on with the split)