Cuke Help.

[snipe]

Alright guys and gals. Im trying to figure out if these would be good for my tank. I have found cukes on that auction site there 5 of them for $18 "shipped" I was wondering if these are filter feeders or sand sifters, the info sais sand burrowers and that they usually stay under the sand and never come out. Im wanting the top layer of sand turned over and im wondering if this would be worth while?
Also are tiger tails ever reffered to as golden cukes? Thanks. Im asking becuase I found a guy in St. Louis that can ship them to me for $31 "cuke and shipping" my local store sells the cheapest of the cheap for $35 "thats the black and pink one when they have them."

 

[bdubbya]

I wouldn't get this type to sift the sand. They are for the most part stationary. They just filter feed. The golden cuke wouldn't be a bad idea, that is assuming it is the tiger tail type. Just make sure you have a big enough tank for it. Do you have a pic of the golden cuke?

 

[ophiura]

This is a filter feeder and not a sand sifter. Also be sure you have appropriate substrate for a cuke and I agree on the size issue.

 

[snipe]

Thats what I thought. The info also said that they will poke them out of the sand and that didnt set right with me. And after talking with ophiura a while back ago I decided I need a sand sifter "to help with diatoms on the sand and little spots of hair algae" I have carib sea live sand and sugar sand so it should be small enough. Here is a pic of the golden cuke. The guy said that it is def a sand sifter it dont look like a tiger tail but if thats all I can find than thats it. It dont have to be a tiger tail thats alright but just what I was looking for. Its orange not golden "kinda a pale orange"
When I talked to ophiura before she said that she thought a tiger tail would work in my tank just fine do you not think I should get one now?

 

[bdubbya]

I'd say as long as your tank is at least a 55 gallon you should probably be all right. I've got one in a 58 and he does fine.

 

[mudplayerx]

The 2nd pic is definately a sand sifter. As long as they don't have feathery looking tentacles on their dorsal side then they are detrivores. I do not suggest more than a three inch cuke for a 55 gallon tank. The reason for this is that mine has doubled in size to six inches in about 6 months, and that is about maximum recommended size for a 55 gallon tank.
You'll love your cuke. I always get compliments on mine and the cleanliness of my sand and live rock. Cukes stick mainly to the sand but mine can occasionally be seen cleaning the live rocks and even attempting to clean the glass. The detrivore ones arent even close to the ticking time bombs everyone claims they are. I've even had an anemone attach to my cuke and ride it around like a horse for a few days.

 

[snipe]

Cool. The good thing is its only $6 and its just north of me "3 hours though" My sister is going up there the end of the month trying to figure out where he is so I can see if she can stop by and pick one up for me.