Spiny Red Cucumber

(Pentacta anceps)

Arguably the most beautiful sea cucumber, this colorful filter feeder needs a minimum of 30 gallons. Rows of pink knobby thorns run lengthwise along its green and yellow body. Like Sea Apples, striking yellow and pink tentacles extend during feeding. Unlike most other sea cucumbers this animal normally stays stationary, when it finds a suitable location in the aquarium with the proper flow.

This species of Sea Cucumber feed by pulling small particulates from the water column, which stick to the hair-like appendages off of its plume. The particulates are then moved to the mouth and ingested. Feed daily with zooplankton or other liquid invertebrate food.

Like other Sea Cucumbers, Pentacta anceps has the potential to poison an aquarium. The chances of this happening are very rare unless the animal is accidentally sucked into an uncovered pump intake or overflow boxes.

Be sure to acclimate properly and house with appropriate inhabitants. The drip-acclimation method is recommended to minimize exposure to fluctuating water parameters.

Approximate Purchase Size: 3-5”