Do i have to feed tuxedo urchin?

[Kapachuka3]

Just recently got one and i have another pencil urchin which i havent had to feed and is doing phenomenal. I was wondering if i had to feed the tuxed cause apparently the other urchin has alot to feed on. Thanks

 

[Reefer Matt]

Shouldn’t have to if you have an established tank with algae growing.

 

[Kapachuka3]

Shouldn’t have to if you have an established tank with algae growing.

The big thing is i dont get algae but i have an established tank

 

[Reefer Matt]

The big thing is i dont get algae but i have an established tank

How long has it been running?

 

[Kapachuka3]

How long has it been running?

Around 10 years

 

[Reefer Matt]

Around 10 years

It should be okay in my opinion, but you have more experience than me then.

 

[Red_Beard]

You can supplement them with nori, but in an established tank you should not need to.

 

[Kapachuka3]

You can supplement them with nori, but in an established tank you should not need to.

Sweet, my problem is that ive cleaned my tank and i think if the nori is not eaten then it will affect the water quality

 

[JayM]

I’ve got 3 urchins in a 100 gallon tank that’s a little less than 2 years old and I do not feed them specifically.

 

[Tahoe61]

I feed mine 2 to 3 times a week. I use strips of nori on a clip. The tank is only 14 gallons.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Sweet, my problem is that ive cleaned my tank and i think if the nori is not eaten then it will affect the water quality

Not certain what things you are specifically concerned about when you say water quality, but if you mean N and P from the nori, most of it ends up in the water whether it is eaten by fish, the clean up crew, including the urchin, or just rots by bacteria.

Each of these creatures will only incorporate a small fraction of the N and P when they consume it.

 

[TankYouVeryMuch]

I’ve been fighting dinos and most of my inverts died as a result, and of course they’re taking the nutrients the algae would otherwise use.

All that to say that I have been supplementing food with some algae wafers and the tuxedo happily eats it.

 

[Kapachuka3]

Would you guys think 1 medium size piece of nori a week would be enough?

 

[Red_Beard]

I would think that more than enough. Feel it out though, if it eats all of it, it's good. If not cut back a little.
But they do eat coraline and other stuff too. As long as your tank isn't barren it's probably fine to only feed monthly or less.