Tuxedo Urchin

[m&m]

I was thinking of getting one to help graze on some unwanted algea.Can anyone give me some input on this and what there like in the tank.

Thank You in advance

[clownfishcrazy]

I don't know to much about urchins but what I know is that you have to keep them with caution if you are going to put them into reef tanks. Yes they will eat algae, including the desirable red, pink and purple calcareous algae, but many will also sample on sessile invertibrates(bryzoans, sponges and corals). But if you don't have a reef tank then they will make a great addition. Also some urchins are poisenous such as the Long-spinned sea urchin (Diadema spp.) which has poison in it sharp spines. Another urchin to watchout for is the Collector sea urchin (Tripneustes gratilla) which has venomous pedicellariae among its spines. Also there is the Flower sea urchin (Toxopneustes spp.) which is the most dangerous urchin to humans with its large, open, flowerlike pedicellariae that are highly venomous.

[JoshMatt]

Aside from Clownfishcrazy's points, I've found that urchins make great bulldozers but poor aquascapers. I've got one that stays out of sight during the day but has an amazing ability to "adjust" the rockwork in my tank during the night. Unfortunately, I'm never happy with its "adjustments" because they tend put nonaggressive corals in reach of more aggressive corals.

Just my $0.02, a lot of people have them and are happy with them.

Josh

[trodder]

They certainly are bulldozers at times. They tend to knock over any loose rck work from time to time... if all your rock work is steady, then they are not much trouble at all. I have a pin cushion that is pretty entertaining and has not ever harmed any inhabitants of my tank (mostly softies as well as many various snails and hermits, etc..) They may graze on coraline but I have not ever actually witnessed it or have seen any evidence that this is being done. I guess, I would just make sure you give him some seaweed or something on a veggie clip once in a while and it should do fine.