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Tiger Tail Sea Cucumber

(Holothuria sp.)

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 Quick Care Facts

• Care Level: Easy   • Temperament: Semi-Aggressive   • Maximum Size: 12 to 18"
• Diet: Omnivore   • Aquarium Level: Substrate & Rocks   • Minimum Tank Size: 55 gallons
 • Reef Compatible: Yes, With caution   • Water Conditions: 72-78° F, dKH 8-12, pH 8.1-8.4, sg 1.023-1.025
• Supplements: None   • Coloration: Brown, Colors change for Camouflage
• Origin: Indo-Pacific • Family: Holothuriidae   • Species: Cucumbers

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Native Habitat and Species Information

Tiger Tail Sea Cucumber native habitat, distribution, behavior & aquarium compatibility.

The Tiger Tail Sea Cucumber or Sand Sifting Sea Cucmber is also commonly referred to as the Tiger Tail Sea Cucumber within the aquarium trade. The Tiger Tail Sea Cucumber has a long, gray to chestnut-brown body with white spots and numerous spiny papillae. The body of this sea cucumbers is cylindrical in shape and have blunt ends.

This species can grow up to 6 feet in length in the wild, but most will only reach around 12" to 18" in the aquarium environment. This species requires a sandy bottom substrate, as it is a sand-sifting feeder. Also the Tiger Tail Sea Cucumber should not be housed with any species that may attack or injure it, as its defense mechanism is to release toxic chemicals into the water to defend itself, which can kill other species within the aquarium.

Aquarium Care

How to successfully keep Tiger Tail Sea Cucumber in the home aquarium.

The Tiger Tail Sea Cucumber is one of the few species that attaches its lower body to the inside of its shelter and only extends its anterior half when searching for food. Its meals consist of whatever algae, bacteria, and meaty items that are present in the sand as it is sifted through the Tiger Tail Cucumber. Due to its feeding habits, it will require a larger tank with a thick sandy bottom and rock caves for shelter.

The Tiger Tail Sea Cucumber is very sensitive to high levels of copper-based medications and will not tolerate high nitrate levels. Water intakes from pumps or similar areas should be blocked off from this species, so that it is not sucked into the intake and injured or killed. It will need to be kept with peaceful tank mates to avoid potential problems, as if it feels overly threatened, it will retract back into its shelter, but if this does work and it is attacked or injured, it will expel its internal organs, which may be toxic to fish.

Feeding & Nutrition

How to feed and provide proper nutrition for Tiger Tail Sea Cucumber.

This species is a sand-sifting feeder and if the tank is not overstocked, the Tiger Tail Sea Cucumber does not need supplemental feeding. Because of its feeding habits it is best to keep only 3 inches of worm for every 20 gallons of water.

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