Concerned about my Urchin

[tankgirl2]

Hi all,
I'm a bit concerned about this tuxedo urchin. He looks a little ragged to me and seems smaller than he used to be. I've had him for a year and a half. I don't know whether there's enough algae in the tank for him, maybe he's starving. His 'stickers' don't seem fully extended like they used to be and he seems less active in the tank. Anyone know how long these guys live? Anyone seen similar things happening with an urchin before? Any ideas?

Sorry the pic is a little blurry, I was in a hurry;

[tankgirl2]

Here's a pic of him in his former glory. Don't know if you can see the difference - the zoanthids he has on his back are about the same size and sort of show how much bigger he was a year or so ago. This decline has been a very slow thing over a long time. Any suggestions or advice would be much appreciated.

[reiple]

Hi tankgirl2! How's your wonderful tank!

Sorry but I also had tuxedo urchins before and they just died within a year. Must be lack of food/algae back then.

Now I got a black spined (yeah the venomous kind) urchin which came as a hitchiker. Grew big! There was a time it got slow and stagnated but then it returned to it's big size and is lively again. Might be a phase too your tuxedo is passing through? I hope!

Take care!

[tims]

is there a difference between a Globe urchin and a tux. urchin?

if you think there is not a lot for him to eat. try giving him some Nori
i do not have this type i have a long black spiny
HTH

[reiple]

sorry tim. dunno what a globe urchin is. tankgirl2 posted a pic of the tux urchin.

[tankgirl2]

Hi reiple! Thanks a bunch for your info! I thought about giving him some nori, but have to figure out a way to keep the tangs from stealing it from the urchin. I'll try it, though. Really appreciate your help!

Hi tims, me neither on what the difference is. Maybe it's just two names for the same urchin?

[SPC]

Originally Posted by tankgirl2

Hi reiple! Thanks a bunch for your info! I thought about giving him some nori, but have to figure out a way to keep the tangs from stealing it from the urchin. I'll try it, though. Really appreciate your help!

Hi tims, me neither on what the difference is. Maybe it's just two names for the same urchin?

Goog morning TG,

According to Spanky, urchins don't eat algae. What they are doing is eating the top layer of rock (and anything that happens to be growing on the rock) for the bacteria.

I have 2 of the urchins you have posted about for around 3 years now but have no suggestions for you on your urchin problem.

Steve

[tankgirl2]

Hi Steve, Thanks!
Odd that they eat the top layer of rock for the bacteria. But, if it's bacteria they eat, mine probably isn't starving. At least that's a relief.

[tims]

TG2,
here is a link on them.
http://www.liveaquaria.com/product/p...=23&pCatId=595

turns out they are the same.. guess it is just a region thing on the name.( one store globe , other store tux.)

[tankgirl2]

Hey tims, Thanks! Cool info. That link said they eat algae though??

[Fish Lips]

Can't really tell size dif. from the different angles. He doesn't look too bad.
Lips

[tankgirl2]

Thanks, Lips! Maybe he's okay - hope so!

[reiple]

Originally Posted by SPC

Goog morning TG,

According to Spanky, urchins don't eat algae. What they are doing is eating the top layer of rock (and anything that happens to be growing on the rock) for the bacteria.

-----

Hello Steve. I located what I have (the venomous black spined) and it does eat algae!

http://www.liveaquaria.com/product/p...1&TopCatId=530

These guys are also known in coastal towns here (Philippines) to proliferate when hair algae is also thriving. Which is dangerous as a person walking in low tide can accidentally step on its venomous spikes!

Cure --- believe it or not --- fresh urine.