Sea Apple (Pseudocolochirus violaceus) Care Guide
Pseudocolochirus violaceus is a colourful filter-feeding sea cucumber that can release lethal holothurin toxin, suited only to experienced keepers.
Overview
The Sea Apple is a filter-feeding sea cucumber of the family Cucumariidae. Per Wikipedia, the Australian form has a primarily purple body, red feet, and purple and white tentacles. It is among the most visually distinctive sea cucumbers, but it carries a serious toxin risk that makes it unsuitable for community reef tanks.
Taxonomy
- Family: Cucumariidae
- Order: Dendrochirotida
- Genus: Pseudocolochirus
- Scientific name: Pseudocolochirus violaceus
- Common synonyms: traded as Pseudocolochirus axiologus (Australian Sea Apple)
Habitat
The species occurs in Indo-Pacific waters, where it lives in reef environments among other invertebrates. It anchors with tube feet to rock or substrate and extends its feeding tentacles into the current.
Tank requirements
- Minimum tank volume: 200 L (dedicated species system recommended)
- Temperature: 24-26 °C (75-79 °F)
- pH: 8.1-8.4
- Salinity: 1.024-1.026 SG
- dKH: 8-11
- Adult size: 15-25 cm; Wikipedia reports up to about 20 cm
- Lifespan: 5-10 years
Diet
The Sea Apple is a filter feeder that consumes plankton. According to Wikipedia it alternately brings each tentacle to its mouth, scraping off the captured plankton, and usually feeds at night when its delicate tentacles are less at risk from predators. In captivity it depends on regular dosing of phytoplankton and fine suspended foods.
Compatibility
Although peaceful and not a predator, it should be kept alone or in a dedicated system. It is not reef-safe in the practical sense because of its toxin: any tank mate able to nip it raises the risk of a toxin release. A solo display is recommended.
Breeding
It is a broadcast spawner. Captive reproduction is regarded as expert-level and is rarely achieved in home aquaria.