OK where do I start. I have a 45G marine tank. it has been running since the start of the year with some setbacks. some more than others. I recently went to the fish store to stock my tank. the store keeper sold me a sea apple it is blue with red stripes. I see no tenticals but it is moving looks like it pulling in and expelling water. in doing some hindsight research I am finding out that this pretty thing can be a disaster waiting to happen. now I dont know what to do. how do I make sure he is fed? how do I know if he is doing good? and do I need to place him somewhere specific or will he find his own special place? I was told he will help in controlling nitrate. anyways some opinions would be greatly apreciatied. thanks
sea apple
- Thread starter jmcneely
- Start date
A sea apple will move were it wants as it searches for food. It can totally wipe out a tank if it becomes stressed or dies. For that reason most people will not chance having one in their tanks. Personally the LFS should have told you this. Since they did not I would not trust them in the future as they do not have your interest at heart, but want to make a sale; or have little knowledge of the animals they sell. That is my opinion.
I would take it back.
Ray
I would take it back.
Ray
First, I agree with what Ray said. A sea apple is potentially big trouble.
I have kept filter-feeding cukes alive for years, and I assume they are pulling food particles out at feeding time. They are not impossible to keep, but the little ones I have won't cause too much trouble if they die.
The idea that they will reduce nitrate is probably unfounded. They will eat particulate matter in the water, but so will half the things living in your live rock. Any attempts to target feed the cuke will probably increase NO3 rather than decrease it.
It will find itself a nice spot and settle in, and the tentacles will probably extend when it's comfortable. It may actually do well, assuming you have a lot of little critters in the tank making zooplankton and/or you are providing enough fine food particles. As you have found out, it is risky though.
There are a few things that put LFSs on my banned list: sea apples, chromidorid nudibranchs (the purple ones) and goniopora (flowerpot corals). You might hunt for a better shop.
I have kept filter-feeding cukes alive for years, and I assume they are pulling food particles out at feeding time. They are not impossible to keep, but the little ones I have won't cause too much trouble if they die.
The idea that they will reduce nitrate is probably unfounded. They will eat particulate matter in the water, but so will half the things living in your live rock. Any attempts to target feed the cuke will probably increase NO3 rather than decrease it.
It will find itself a nice spot and settle in, and the tentacles will probably extend when it's comfortable. It may actually do well, assuming you have a lot of little critters in the tank making zooplankton and/or you are providing enough fine food particles. As you have found out, it is risky though.
There are a few things that put LFSs on my banned list: sea apples, chromidorid nudibranchs (the purple ones) and goniopora (flowerpot corals). You might hunt for a better shop.