Sea Apple

The Sea Apple is a colorful, filter-feeding sea cucumber that extends branching tentacles into the current to gather suspended food. It requires a deliberately planned aquarium and experienced care rather than a place in a routine cleanup crew.

Supply appropriate fine phytoplankton foods daily, with circulation carrying them to the extended tentacles. The challenge is sustaining that food supply while preserving good water quality. Protect all pump intakes and overflows, and provide room for the animal to choose a feeding position.

Sea apples can release toxins when seriously stressed or injured, potentially harming fish in the system. Exclude tankmates that nip at exposed tentacles and avoid abrupt changes in salinity or pH. Before purchase, have a feeding and emergency-management plan that accounts for this risk; ornamental color alone is not a sound reason to add one.