How to Care for a Sea Cucumber

A sea cucumber is part of the echinoderm family of marine life that lives on ocean floors. There creatures are scavengers by nature. That trait makes sea cucumbers a valuable addition to reef aquariums, since they clean organic matter left by other fish in the tank. Caring for a sea cucumber in an aquarium requires a little preparation to ensure the tank is safe for the animal. Once the sea cumber is established in the tank, there is little day-to-day care required.

Things You'll Need

  • Pump covers
  • Nonpredatory fish
  • pH solution
  • Rock formations
  • Sand
  • Long stick
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Instructions

    • 1

      Cover the bottom of the aquarium with sand. This is an easy substrate for the sea cucumber to filter through in search of organic matter.

    • 2

      Cover all pump inlets. Fish that are native to coral reefs are used to a constant current flowing by. This is created in an aquarium by a pump system that moves the water and oxygenates it. If a sea cucumber gets too close to an uncovered pump, it could spell doom because it is unable to separate itself from the pump. Use the guards that came with the pump.

    • 3

      Place rock formations in the tank that the sea cucumber can climb into for shelter. These rock formations can go anywhere in the tank.

    • 4

      Fill the tank with water that has a modified pH balance for reef marine life. Solutions that are added to water to quickly alter the pH balance are available at stores that sell reef fish. Test the water with the pH test strip included with the solution before adding the sea cucumber.

    • 5

      Place reef fish that aren't predators of sea cucumbers in the tank a week before introducing the sea cucumber. This gives the fish an opportunity to create a small buildup of organic matter that the sea cucumber needs to survive.

    • 6

      Place the sea cucumber in the tank and use a long stick to stir the sand a little. This causes organic matter in the sand to float through the tank, making it easier for the sea cucumber to filter it. Once the cucumber is accustomed to its surroundings, it starts to shift the sand on its own.

    • 7

      Watch the sea cucumber for signs of stress or malnourishment. Sea cucumbers begin to shrink if they are unable to get enough food. Add supplemental proteins to the water if necessary to sustain the cucumber.