Tiger Tail Sea Cucumber

The tiger tail sea cucumber is recognized by the rows of small pale-tipped bumps on its long, soft, brown-orange body. When it stretches out its body it can reach 30–40 cm. During the day it usually anchors its rear end under a rock; at night it extends its front half and gathers sand with the sticky tentacles around its mouth, digesting the organic matter in it. The striped Atlantic species Holothuria thomasi is also called by the same English name; check the scientific name when buying.

Toxin warning: its tissue contains saponin-type toxic substances; when threatened it may also shoot sticky white threads (Cuvierian tubules) from its rear end. An individual that gets sucked into a pump, is picked at or dies releases toxin into the water and can cause a mass death of fish. Because of this risk, some sources do not recommend it for aquariums at all. Specimens in the trade are wild-collected.

• At least 300 liters; a large bed of fine sand at least 5–7 cm deep and spaces under rocks to hide its rear end.
• Salinity 1.024–1.026 specific gravity, pH 8.1–8.4, temperature 24–27°C.
• All pump and overflow intakes should be covered; activated carbon should be kept in the aquarium.
• Reef-safe; it leaves corals alone. Acclimate by the drip method for at least 2 hours; copper-based medications are lethal.

It feeds on detritus, biofilm and micro-organisms in the sand. If the sand bed is not enough, it should be supplemented with sinking granules or pieces of frozen food pushed into the sand; a thinning body is a sign of starvation.

Nocturnal, slow and peaceful. It contracts when stressed; an injured individual should be removed immediately.

Good companions: clownfish, gobies, cardinalfish; shrimp, snails.

Avoid: triggerfish, pufferfish, parrotfish, butterflyfish and angelfish; large hermit crabs; unprotected pump intakes; other sea cucumbers that would share the sand bed.