How do you move long spine urchins.

[WVNed]

I have 3 and sometimes I want to move them to do something in the tank. Getting jabbed by one even slightly is very painful. The spines are also very brittle.

How do you handle them without hurting them or yourself.

 

[Scotty Buttons]

I used to carefully grab one of there longest spines, but half the time that ended with the spine breaking or me getting stabbed. Maybe some long tweezers?

 

[Sallstrom]

We use long tweezers. I think there’re 30 and 40 cm long. Works fine.

 

[WVNed]

I used to carefully grab one of there longest spines, but half the time that ended with the spine breaking or me getting stabbed. Maybe some long tweezers?

I have tried grabbing a spine, which broke and slipping my hand under it which got me stabbed.

 

[WVNed]

We use long tweezers. I think there’re 30 and 40 cm long. Works fine.

I have big tweezers I feed the eels with. Where do you grab hold of it at?

 

[bevo5]

Carefully.



Sorry.

 

[tripdad]

Use a sharp edge plastic spatula to get under it, slowly and carefully, lift and move.

 

[JayLu]

I used long aquarium tongs. But even with that it lost a lot of spines. Before that, I tried using thick rubber gloves, but the spine still got me.

 

[Sallstrom]

I have big tweezers I feed the eels with. Where do you grab hold of it at?

Get the two “sides” of the tweezer under it and lift. Don’t use the tweezer as a tweezer in other words. Just use something with two sticks, so you get those two in between the spines on the mouth side, and lift. Don’t pinch.
Search for Martin Moe on YouTube. He has done his own Diadema lifter, but it’s similar to the tweezers we use.

 

[Sallstrom]

Here’s a picture :)

 

[Bapeluso]

I used a Tupperware container with a lid and carefully scoop him up assuming he is in a spot that the Tupperware is able to reach.

 

[count krunk]

So forklift the urchin with a long pair of tongs. TIL thanks @Sallstrom

 

[Sallstrom]

So forklift the urchin with a long pair of tongs. TIL thanks @Sallstrom

Yes, thats the word I couldn't find yesterday trying to explain. Thanks! :)

 

[Phycodurus]

i gather none of you are keeping these in an acrylic tank? ;Sorry