Reef Patrol: Have you kept an urchin in your marine aquarium?

[Sleeping Giant]

I had 3 but they died, now my tank has exploded with algae. need to get some ASAP miss them
Tuxedo urchin with GSP

 

[JonoH]

I have a Tuxedo in my 120, absolutely loves smashing the Coralline off the rockwork - took my 2 largest rocks back down to white!

 

[Reeferbadness]

I have 3 tuxedo and a purple urchin in my 200 g tank. I can’t keep turbo snails due to a yellow coris wrasse and flame hawk fish that eat them like skittles. The urchins do a great job in controlling algae and I don’t have any issues with corals being moved around.

 

[DeniseAndy]

I have an acrylic with a varigated, and black short spine with no issues seen. They are not on the sides much. The back sometimes. The pencil I moved to the sump and my glass tanks to be safe.

 

[drolmaeye]

I have a Tuxedo Urchin named George (as in King George because it looks like a crown). It's beautiful, but makes itself look ridiculous picking up sand. It also waffle-stomps little zoa frags in the sand. The zoas always recover like champs, and I like George even when it's looking ridiculous.

 

[Peter Houde]

Reef Patrol: Have you kept an urchin in your marine aquarium?

Whether you choose a short-spine, long-spine, tuxedo, or pencil, each of these types of urchins can be an unusual worker to your tank. It is important to know the maximum size for the species and make sure that you have the appropriate space. If you can provide a stable home, then you will likely be rewarded with a creature that will regularly be trimming your algae. Although far from cuddly, their utility, unique look, and sometimes entertaining personalities can make them a special tank resident. Have you kept an urchin in your marine aquarium? If so, let us know about your experiences with them and please share any tips or warnings that may be helpful to others who are considering one.

Photo by @Heather Sheehan


This QOTD is sponsored by Nutramar: https://www.qualitymarine.com/nutramar/

“Nutramar’s 100% natural food products are used by public aquaria and breeders around the world. They offer superior nutrition to your most finicky and delicate fish and invertebrates.

I'd be afraid of what one might chew off of my rocks

 

[saltyhog]

Love mine, just wish he would slow his growth rate a little bit.

 

[Torch Town Reefer]

Are there any difference between red and blue tuxedo besides the color?

no... not that i know of anyways? but i dont believe so. just a SLIGHT color difference. lol. and when i say slight, it's honestly like... a tiny of color? but they're the same species, etc.

 

[Torch Town Reefer]

I have a Tuxedo Urchin named George (as in King George because it looks like a crown). It's beautiful, but makes itself look ridiculous picking up sand. It also waffle-stomps little zoa frags in the sand. The zoas always recover like champs, and I like George even when it's looking ridiculous.

oh, hes fancy! that's a trend setter. looks like hes very into fashion and keeps the latest and popular outfits in his closet! nice! i love it!

 

[Turkey head]

I love urchins. They’re worth the occasional breaking something. They are so fun to watch. Some are more active than others of course.

 

[winemanta]

So glad this came up! I love my urchins. I have had tuxedos in the past, but my pin cushions do the best with algae control. With that being said, even glued down they manage to free an occasional frag. It wouldn’t bother me, but they leave it somewhere behind the rockwork (every time) and I have to scuba dive (almost exaggerating) to save it. Anyone have an urchin resistant glue or technique to share??

 

[sfin52]

Currently have a rock borring urchin

 

[themcnertney]

I have a black long spined urchin for 10 years. It’s quite larger, slightly bigger than a softball.

One time it got me under my finger nail and sent me to the ER. Quite a story there.

It’s an evil creature but does a great job with cleaning.

 

[Turkey head]

That’s exactly why I don’t get a long spine. I really want one but don’t want to have to deal with avoiding it and / or getting sent to the ER.

 

[legendhua]

They are often starved in my tank．．．
P9290019 海膽 by legendhua, 於 Flickr
P6110153 海膽 by legendhua, 於 Flickr
P3280260 (2) 海膽 by legendhua, 於 Flickr




DSC01870 海膽 by legendhua, 於 Flickr

 

[Tangs-A-Lot]

I have a purple short spine who is a workhorse; does laps around my other one which is a blue tuxedo.

 

[Roatan Reef]

Love, love my pin Cushion Urchin...he's a beast cleaning algae, and for 3 months now he wears a seashell as his main hat, along with fine crushed coral for his camouflage...he got entangled with snails a few days ago and lost his hat, so I gently restuck it on him, and he's good to go. Couldn't imagine my tank without having him.

 

[Floyd-]

My little purple short spine (Spike) is a fantastic cleaner! I have no idea where he came from. Once day I see this tiny thing smaller than your thumbnail and about 4 months later he's baseball size!

 

[yanssy14]

lol

 

[Tiny Ocean]

Love my urchin, he does great controlling algae but does wreak havoc on a few loose frags I have. He ALWAYS wears at least one hat. Now that I'm done acquiring fish, I turned my QT into a macro grow tank so he has fresh snax regularly because he does decimate algaes.