Help IDing this new find

chigggger · 11-27-2005, 06:44 PM

Hi,

I was wondering if someone could help me wit this new addition to the tank. I was looking over the rocks and all of a sudden saw this spiked friend. I think it's a sea urchin, but what shocks me is that I haven't gotten any new rock nor anything in a good lon time, at least four months. If it is an urchin, is this safe for my reef tank and if so how do I feed it?

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Gerald

Viv · 11-27-2005, 07:16 PM

Quote from Drs. Foster and Smith: " Longspine Urchin, this nocturnal urchin comes out at night to forage algae and seaweed. It needs plenty of room to roam, and it is venomous so should be handled carefully. Its body is predominantly black with long, thin spines, and it can lose spines if handed too roughly or if water quality is poor. Maximum growth about 8 inches, Easy to care for, Peaceful temperament, Herbivore, Venomous." (just happened to have their catalog open!) Don't really know if this is what you have but your pic and their pic look very similar.

xaoss23 · 11-27-2005, 08:28 PM

sure looks like an urchin to me... tho I cant help you with what species. You really shouldnt have to feed it, its eating off the rock. Ive never kept any myself but Im sure someone will be able to give you some insite to these creatures...

tims · 11-27-2005, 08:37 PM

if you can get a better picture to make a better id type that will help.
you can also check this older Dis. of the week we had, there are some good shots of various urchins. some are good some are bad.( look on page 4and 5)

Loverotties · 11-27-2005, 08:44 PM

looks like long spike urchin.

chigggger · 11-27-2005, 10:47 PM

thanks for all of your replies and here's a better picture and i'm just happy that I found something new and exciting in there. I'll just enjoy watching this grow and i'll do some reading in Dr Foster's and Smith. Thanks for the tip,\.

Gerald

VWD · 11-27-2005, 10:51 PM

Yes, a unchin indeed.

Geoff · 11-28-2005, 03:57 AM

great critters. hopefully you have a glass tank though. urhins will scratch the daylights out of an acrylic tank. their teeth are used to eat algae, and in doing so they actually are able to scrape the top layer of rock off. acrylic is no match for these guys teeth. urchins are great to have if you want corraline algae to start going. their chewings open up bare spots on the LR. these bare spots allow corraline spores to settle and take hold.

as for which kind, really hard to tell.

G~

tims · 11-28-2005, 07:08 AM

i really dont think it is a long black spiny.
the base of the spines are not black or dark from the photos..
it may be a rock borer ( there are at least two variations of that type.

skeety · 11-28-2005, 02:59 PM

I'm with Tim. Definitely an urchin, but I disagree with the Black Long Spined ID. Looks more like a rock urchin to me as well.

Still a good critter (depending).

Congrats on the find!

Spongebobsquarepants · 11-28-2005, 03:44 PM

Echinometra mathaei - rock boring urchin

Description: small, light-colored urchin with short spines, thick at the base and tapering to a sharp point; typically greenish-gray or reddish-brown.

Size: usually 4-6 cm but up to 15 cm diameter.

Habitat: in holes and depressions on rock in shallow areas.

skeety · 11-28-2005, 04:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Spongebobsquarepants

Echinometra mathaei - rock boring urchin

Description: small, light-colored urchin with short spines, thick at the base and tapering to a sharp point; typically greenish-gray or reddish-brown.

Size: usually 4-6 cm but up to 15 cm diameter.

Habitat: in holes and depressions on rock in shallow areas.

BAM! Nice find Spongebob!!!

chigggger · 11-28-2005, 11:04 PM

wow that is ridiculously amazing and that's exactly i've got in there and now I can rest easy. I really appreacite everyone's help with this.

Gerald