Is my tuxedo urchin dying?

[baldislife]

it's been in my tank for about 4 months. It's been in this spot for the last 3 days. It looks like it still has its spines and I don't see any lying around. I gave it a gentle budge and seems to have a grip. Any insight is appreciated.

 

[jpmazzone]

Is it elongated like that or is that just a distortion of the photo?

 

[jpmazzone]

It's unusual to stay in one place like that. Turn the powerhead off and place it by a rock that has visible algae growth. You'll know very quickly if its dead.

 

[baldislife]

Is it elongated like that or is that just a distortion of the photo?

Distortion from the angle I took the photo

 

[Euphylliaphyle]

Mine did that for a bit over 24 hours. That wasn't like him to sit still that long. I think it got stuck and couldn't figure out how to get off the powerhead. I gently took him off and placed him on a rock. He reoriented himself and went about his business almost immediately.

 

[W31Olds]

He's probably eating that Coralline Algae off your Powerhead.

 

[baldislife]

It's unusual to stay in one place like that. Turn the powerhead off and place it by a rock that has visible algae growth. You'll know very quickly if its dead.

Turned the head off and moved it to access the urchin and I noticed the spines active. 5 mins later and it's moving to under side of powerhead so I think it's good. Thanks!

Mine did that for a bit over 24 hours. That wasn't like him to sit still that long. I think it got stuck and couldn't figure out how to get off the powerhead. I gently took him off and placed him on a rock. He reoriented himself and went about his business almost immediately.

I am thinking he got stuck trying to get to some coraline

 

[jpmazzone]

Glad it worked out!