Spiny Sea Cucumber Questions

[FishAreCool]

I am a beginner to saltwater aquariums and I like the look of the spiny sea cucumber (Pentacta anceps). I have some questions about it.

1. Are they easy to keep? I have read that they are easy - moderate but liveaquaria lists them as expert only.
2. I know they are filter feeders but what are the best foods for them?
3. Do they need a established tank?
4. What are the odds of them poisoning my aquarium? All I have is snails for now.
5. Can I keep them in a 16 gallon biocube? I have heard they dont move around alot.

 

[shakacuz]

if it’s only a 16G tank, i highly suggest not to get one. they’re always eating from what i’ve been told. an urchin would suffice once the tank is established

edit: live aquaria even states minimum tank size is 30G

 

[FishAreCool]

Ok thank you I will avoid it then.

 

[vetteguy53081]

I am a beginner to saltwater aquariums and I like the look of the spiny sea cucumber (Pentacta anceps). I have some questions about it.

1. Are they easy to keep? I have read that they are easy - moderate but liveaquaria lists them as expert only.
2. I know they are filter feeders but what are the best foods for them?
3. Do they need a established tank?
4. What are the odds of them poisoning my aquarium? All I have is snails for now.
5. Can I keep them in a 16 gallon biocube? I have heard they dont move around alot.

Congrats on researching before jumping into a specimen.
As for your questions (answered in bold) . . . . .

1. Are they easy to keep? Provide good conditions and FOOD - They cannot starve and can be an easy specimen
2. I know they are filter feeders but what are the best foods for them? phytoplankton and zooplankton
3. Do they need a established tank? Well, at least one that has detritus and food source as they capture food while its in motion
4. What are the odds of them poisoning my aquarium? They really have to be posed with threat and chances of releasing toxin often low
5. Can I keep them in a 16 gallon biocube? If you give them good water movement which offers food, they can stay in that same area for months but they need at least 24" of length in the event they are active

 

[vetteguy53081]

Congrats on researching before jumping into a specimen.
As for your questions (answered in bold) . . . . .

1. Are they easy to keep? Provide good conditions and FOOD - They cannot starve and can be an easy specimen
2. I know they are filter feeders but what are the best foods for them? phytoplankton and zooplankton
3. Do they need a established tank? Well, at least one that has detritus and food source as they capture food while its in motion
4. What are the odds of them poisoning my aquarium? They really have to be posed with threat and chances of releasing toxin often low
5. Can I keep them in a 16 gallon biocube? If you give them good water movement which offers food, they can stay in that same area for months but they need at least 24" of length in the event they are active

Also Live aquaria tends to overstate requirements especially size which is in the wild and not captivity.

 

[FurrierTransform]

I just want to say that a sea cucumber is a really interesting choice for your first livestock.

 

[FishAreCool]

Thank you so much for the replies!

 

[FishAreCool]

I think I might avoid it then because I have measured and my tank is only around 13.5 inches long.