I love urchins!! I think they are one of the best CUC members, and are a really cool looking invert!
I'd like to star this Urchin thread for everyone to talk about the experiences they've had with urchins.
My goal is also to educate people who want an urchin or are researching CUC since they want to learn more.
Pictures, experiences, care tips, and just overall info are welcome and encouraged
Reef Safe Urchins
All of the following are reef safe EXCEPT FOR ONE.
They're reef safe BUT they may either knock over corals accidentally or pick up small loose coral frags as a hat
Tuxedo Urchins
Who doesn't love these little guys? They do not get too big, and are super cool looking! Definitely reef safe, but will grab stuff and wear it. They will consume all algae types, and are very hardy. They're also aquacultured! Probably the best Urchin for a nano tank.
Max Size: Around 3"
Pincushion Urchins
DISCLAIMER**** There are MANY types of Pincushion Urchins. There are many names and subspecies associated with them.
Some are reef safe and some are not. They also have different colors.
I will list a couple here. One in particular I highly recommend.
Blue/Purple Short Spine Pincushion
These are reef safe with caution.
I would not recommend these in a reef.
There are many people who have confirmed that they ate some Zoas and other corals.
Maybe these guys only eat certain corals, but more research should be done.
However, these Urchins are probably one of the prettiest Urchins. They look really cool in person especially!
Max Size: Around 4"
Variegated Pincushion
There are many different color morphs with this urchin. They should all be reef safe.
There is conflicting info as to the Max Size of the Urchin. I believe the differences color varieties and sizes listed has to do with the different parts of the world the urchins come from, and them being slightly different.
However, the captive bred ones should stay a bit smaller and may get around 3 - 4 ish inches.
These Urchins are really cool. They have little ROE looking spheres on their body.
Great algae muncher, and a GREAT second choice if the Tuxedo is not an option.
I would check a local Petco. I went to Petco recently and they got a shipment, and there were around 15 of these Urchins scattered throughout their tanks. None were dead, and they all looked super healthy, and some were pretty small.
Also they were only $11.99!! Which is an amazing price for a Captive Bred Urchin!!
Shortspine/Rock Burrowing Urchin/Rock Urchin
These guys do not have short spines. So strange name. BUT they do live up to the Rock name.
THESE ARE THE MOST UNDERRATED!!!
They are cheap too!! Around 8-14 bucks!
These guys will seriously CLEAN your rock. They will scrape all the algae off better than any other invert. They will eat pretty much any type of algae on the rocks.
Best part is that they are completely reef safe!!!!
They won't pick up anything, but they will knock frags and rubble pieces over, but most of the time it's to get to the algae underneath. Lol.
Max Size: 3 - 4 Inches
Longspine Urchin
The Longspine Urchin is surprisingly also reef safe, but I do not know too much about them except that they get HUGE, and tend to knock things over a lot.
I also know they will host baby Bangaiis!!! So cute!!!
(Courtesy of Reef Magazine)
I'd like to star this Urchin thread for everyone to talk about the experiences they've had with urchins.
My goal is also to educate people who want an urchin or are researching CUC since they want to learn more.
Pictures, experiences, care tips, and just overall info are welcome and encouraged
Reef Safe Urchins
All of the following are reef safe EXCEPT FOR ONE.
They're reef safe BUT they may either knock over corals accidentally or pick up small loose coral frags as a hat
Tuxedo Urchins
Who doesn't love these little guys? They do not get too big, and are super cool looking! Definitely reef safe, but will grab stuff and wear it. They will consume all algae types, and are very hardy. They're also aquacultured! Probably the best Urchin for a nano tank.
Max Size: Around 3"
Pincushion Urchins
DISCLAIMER**** There are MANY types of Pincushion Urchins. There are many names and subspecies associated with them.
Some are reef safe and some are not. They also have different colors.
I will list a couple here. One in particular I highly recommend.
Blue/Purple Short Spine Pincushion
These are reef safe with caution.
I would not recommend these in a reef.
There are many people who have confirmed that they ate some Zoas and other corals.
Maybe these guys only eat certain corals, but more research should be done.
However, these Urchins are probably one of the prettiest Urchins. They look really cool in person especially!
Max Size: Around 4"
Variegated Pincushion
There are many different color morphs with this urchin. They should all be reef safe.
There is conflicting info as to the Max Size of the Urchin. I believe the differences color varieties and sizes listed has to do with the different parts of the world the urchins come from, and them being slightly different.
However, the captive bred ones should stay a bit smaller and may get around 3 - 4 ish inches.
These Urchins are really cool. They have little ROE looking spheres on their body.
Great algae muncher, and a GREAT second choice if the Tuxedo is not an option.
I would check a local Petco. I went to Petco recently and they got a shipment, and there were around 15 of these Urchins scattered throughout their tanks. None were dead, and they all looked super healthy, and some were pretty small.
Also they were only $11.99!! Which is an amazing price for a Captive Bred Urchin!!
Shortspine/Rock Burrowing Urchin/Rock Urchin
These guys do not have short spines. So strange name. BUT they do live up to the Rock name.
THESE ARE THE MOST UNDERRATED!!!
They are cheap too!! Around 8-14 bucks!
These guys will seriously CLEAN your rock. They will scrape all the algae off better than any other invert. They will eat pretty much any type of algae on the rocks.
Best part is that they are completely reef safe!!!!
They won't pick up anything, but they will knock frags and rubble pieces over, but most of the time it's to get to the algae underneath. Lol.
Max Size: 3 - 4 Inches
Longspine Urchin
The Longspine Urchin is surprisingly also reef safe, but I do not know too much about them except that they get HUGE, and tend to knock things over a lot.
I also know they will host baby Bangaiis!!! So cute!!!
(Courtesy of Reef Magazine)
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