Pencil Urchin Diet

[droidus]

I have a Pencil Urchin in my 32 Gallon biocube tank. I've attached a picture of it. It seems to have a good amount of algae in it. I have algae wafers that sink. I notice when I put it in, my pistol shrimp is quick to detect it, and take it into his burrow. I have concerns feeding my pencil urchin because I've noticed a few spikes laying on the sand. I've checked my water parameters (nitrate, nitrite, and ammonia), and they look healthy. Do I need to provide it with more supplements? Should I be putting dried seaweed like this, in there, for it as a supplement? https://www.liveaquaria.com/product/prod_display.cfm?c=3468+3762+4177&pcatid=4177 I am guessing it would be able to "detect" it, and draw near to it. Or should there be enough food in my tank as-is?

 

[vetteguy53081]

Algae and vegetation

 

[AlgaeBarn Verified Sponsor]

I would consider giving it some dried nori- maybe even on a clip so that the pistol can't reach it to take it to its burrow :)

 

[droidus]

I would consider giving it some dried nori- maybe even on a clip so that the pistol can't reach it to take it to its burrow :)

Nori?

 

[Steve and his Animals]

Nori?

It's green seaweed, the stuff they wrap sushi in. Nori if you're buying it from an Asian market instead of a fish store.

Also, if he's losing spines, check your calcium and alkalinity. As an invertebrate with calcified body parts, you don't want those dropping too low (Alk around 8-11 degrees, Calcium around 400-480ppm).