Sea Apples?

[iggy koopa]

Just wondering if anybody has any useful information on Sea Apples? I've heard they can be deadly to your entire tank if they die or are attacked? Anybody know of any truth in that statement? Any info is appreciated. My thanks in advance.
-Ro.
Feed the faith, and doubt will starve to death.

 

[blondenaso1]

My LFS has 2 sea apples in one of the reef tanks. I know that they are poisonous and can release a toxin that can mess up a tank pretty bad. I think that only happens when it is bothered. They have had it in there for a while and it hasn't done anything yet.

 

[tucker3940]

They are very poisonous when they die. Be careful if you decide to get one. If it dies or gets messed with too much you should remove it immediately.

 

[rsd]

Sea apples when stressed expell their stomach contents including digestive materials... this does a good job of discouraging predators... how ever is toxic to an aquarium environ. When they die they also excrete all body fluids which reek havoc on a tank. I know of two friends who have them and both have seen them "puke" .... both tanks survived BUT they also use alot of chemical filtration and have to supplement their tanks because they have SA and chem. filters.
Basically filter for worste case scenerio and deal with supplementing more and changing water more.
Me personally, I'd avoid them, or do a species tank... could be cool.

 

[dinhouse]

I had one a few months back. I guess mine was just even tempered. There were many times I accidently bumped him when cleaning the glass. One time I even dropped a rock on him when rearranging my rock work. He eventually lost a fight with my rotating powerhead. I can not say for certain how long he was dead before I found him but I will say that i was atleast a few hour becasue his color was already starting to fade. Mine never poisoned my tank. They are really cool animals in my opinion. If you have the time and desire to feed they guy twice aday I would say get one! Just my .02

 

[keisersosei]

What do you feed it? On this site it says they are algae eaters but I have heard nothing but contrary information. They are filter feeders, right?

 

[richierich2000]

I have haf one for a year they are filterfeeders

 

[jonthefb]

they filter water for planktonic substances and should be fed this in captive as well. they do become toxic when they expell their guts in a tank. they are related to starfish, and are basically large sea cucumbers
good luck
jon

 

[uel]

I have had several of them over the years and never had one poision a tank. They are filter feeders and will benefit from some type of zooplankton supplement. I use plancto and I'm sure DT's or Kent Photo plex would work just as well. Good Luck.

 

[keisersosei]

Would feeding Invertebrate Smorgasbord do the trick? I'm thinking about buying one tomorrow. There's been one in the lfs for months, so I know it's healthy.

 

[dinhouse]

I feed mine frozen brine and marine cuisine.