pin cushion urchin

[jgordie]

I bought a pincushion urchin 2 days ago at the LFS. I acclimated it for about 45 minutes by floating the bag and adding a little water every few minutes. I took it out of the bag and placed it on the bottom gently. It never moved from that spot. It tried to climb up on the glass but didn't stay there long. Needless to say, he was dead by this afternoon. Anyone have experience with these? Suggestions or thoughts?

[Jadinop]

I also purchased one a few days ago (possibly from the same store, I live in Jax) and mine has been doing well. Is your system newly setup? Inverts such as urchins are more sensitive to water quality and require established tanks. If you could post some of your water parameters it may help narrow down the problem, check nitrate in particular if you have a test kit for it.

[Loverotties]

It takes awhile to adjust.

[luvmylo]

sorry for your loss. How old is the tank. What are your paremeters??

[jgordie]

I got it Aqua zoo at the beach. My tank has been set up for about 2 months now. My ammonia, nitrates and nitrites are all at 0. I just did a water change about 10 days ago. The only problem I have is my pH which fluctuates between 7.8 and 8.0 maybe that was it.

[jgordie]

Originally Posted by Jadinop

I also purchased one a few days ago (possibly from the same store, I live in Jax) and mine has been doing well. Is your system newly setup? Inverts such as urchins are more sensitive to water quality and require established tanks. If you could post some of your water parameters it may help narrow down the problem, check nitrate in particular if you have a test kit for it.

Where did you get yours at? My son really wants another one?

[Jadinop]

Originally Posted by jgordie

Where did you get yours at? My son really wants another one?

Rob's Reef in Orange Park.

[czieler]

Hey Julia... glad to see ya signed up for an account on here I might stop by there later today for something..if I see one there I'll let you know.... or if you're coming out this way to go there..give me a shout

[Grohm1978]

I had my pincushion a lot longer and i still have not found ANYONE that can answer what happened to him.

He was cool for 5 months. In about the 4th month, he developed a black spot on him-very small.the spot never grew but then he slowly started losing needles over time. Eventually his entire top was needless and he had some on the bottom-but not enough. He could no longer navigate the tank and right himself and he died. I still cant figure it out and now I am freaking out that something is not right in my tank

[Geoff]

sounds like a disease or something specific to the urchin. i would not be to worried about it. i would wait a couple of months before getting one, just in case it is a parasite or disease. waiting a couple of months should allow enough time for the parasite/disease to die off without a host.

G~