Sailfin stuck with urchin spin

[DylanE]

I noticed today my sailfin appears to have a small piece of urchin spine stuck in it’s “chest” area. I have a few long spine urchins that came in on liverock, and that’s the only thing I can think of that matches. The tang is acting normal. Should I leave it be and let it fall out? It’d be a nightmare to try and catch this guy.

 

[TX_REEF]

#fishmedics

 

[Jay Hemdal Verified Community Expert]

I noticed today my sailfin appears to have a small piece of urchin spine stuck in it’s “chest” area. I have a few long spine urchins that came in on liverock, and that’s the only thing I can think of that matches. The tang is acting normal. Should I leave it be and let it fall out? It’d be a nightmare to try and catch this guy.

That’s sure what it looks like. Here’s my thought - leave it alone.

Catching it up risks stressing the fish and could even drive it in deeper. Then, removing it, if the has pierced the peritoneum, the resulting hole would be as bad or worse than leaving the spine in place.

 

[DylanE]

That’s sure what it looks like. Here’s my thought - leave it alone.

Catching it up risks stressing the fish and could even drive it in deeper. Then, removing it, if the has pierced the peritoneum, the resulting hole would be as bad or worse than leaving the spine in place.

Thanks, Jay, that’s kinda what I was thinking. He’s certainly still being a jerk today so he must be feeling okay lol.

 

[smitten with ocean life]

hes beautiful!

 

[UncommonSense]

These long spine urchin spines are hollow, and brittle! — it’s quite likely to snap off in due time!

— just move slowly around these urchins, they can quickly become a 8-10” diameter razor sharp pincushion!

 

[DylanE]

Just to update:

It appears to have worked it's way out, and he's totally back to normal.

 

[BryanM]

Nice. I do believe the sailfin is my favorite fish.

And I know if I had to try and catch mine it would be a nightmare.