ORA Sand Fish Sea Cucumber

About the Sand Fish Sea Cucumber

Care Level: Easy
Temperament: Peaceful
Diet: Omnivore
Reef Safe: Yes
Minimum Tank Size: 30 Gallons
Max Size: 9 inches

Cucumbers are notorious for cleaning the sand bed of coral reefs and rock reefs eating detritus. They move along aerating the sand and release debris and pollutants that have been trapped, making them an essential invertebrate in all environments. Cucumbers do not tolerate high nitrates and will live a long healthy life with stable conditions in a well established environment. Cucumbers are peaceful but also carry a toxin for protection from predators. They may need a supplemented diet of meaty seafoods, flakes, and pellets.

Found in the shallow tropical waters of the Indo Pacific, this species of Sea Cucumber is also known as a Sandfish. It is an exceptionallly beneficial detrivore, playing an important role in both the reef ecosystem and the home aquarium. This leathery invertebrate can reach sizes up to 8 inches in length and is a popular and valuable food item for people in the region. As it moves slowly over the sand bed, the Sandfish consumes the substrate for organics and other microorganisms, limiting excess nutrients and rotating the upper layers of sand. They have the disturbingly unique ability to expel their internal organs as a defense mechanism when stressed.