Urchin Appreciation Thread/Reef Safe Urchins

[Cantusaurus]

True or false their ‘beaks’ can scratch the tank’s glass? :(

False. The glass is pretty strong honestly. And they will politely munch on the glass without damaging or scratching it.
Even my rock urchin that will turn a rock almost white has been on the glass and I've seen his mouth eating and he never left any scratches.

 

[DaddyFish]

True or false their ‘beaks’ can scratch the tank’s glass? :(

I have two silicone seams on my nearly new, custom built 215, that have lifted and edges torn (thank you Planet Aquariums!!!) The Banded Long Spine has chunked away some small pieces of those lifted edges, but it's really not HIS fault. (thank you again Planet Aquariums!!!).

 

[Chrisv.]

Many years ago, I had a long spine urchin. It was like the size of a basketball by the end of his time in my tank. The number of times I accidentally ended up stung by it's spines was pretty crazy. Very painful.

 

[JumboShrimp]

Valuable info, @DaddyFish. Despite the Urchins beauty, maybe I should stick to Sea Hares. :oops:

 

[schooncw]

Hmmm. That is really strange. Did they die after a couple weeks to a month? Or a couple days to a week after adding them?
It could be improper acclimation (I was subject to acclimating certain inverts incorrectly).
Some tanks at stores have their salinity at certain levels, and often temperature and much different levels. I have heard temperature for Urchins is often much more important than salinity (within reason). But if both are done carefully I have had success adding a Rock and Variegated to my tank.
It could also be a lack of food. If there is not enough algae (sometimes the tough algae on rocks is not enough/pretty difficult for tuxedos).
And supplementing them weekly could be necessary.
Also nitrate. If the nitrate is too high they may not do well, but I have no idea what that entails exactly since there is different info everywhere.

The urchin pictured in my post eats 2 sheets of nori each day. I have to have 2 clips on opposite sides, so my fish get some.

 

[pdjemail]

Purple pin cushion with a decorative shell hat

 

[CanuckReefer]

What's the word on pencil urchins?

Had one for 5 years, then it went rogue on my softies..... plenty of its natural food in the tank. So back to LFS. Still have my Pincushion 6 years and short spine black 5 years, zero issues, incredible valuable CUC members both.

 

[MrsBugmaster]

They get absolutely massive. I've seen them in the wild, spines as thick as hot dogs and the whole urchin 12"+ across.

Here's my diadema. Never had issues with him. Hard to photograph his iridiphores, but they look cool.

I know these guys are not good for acrylic tanks as they will eat, scratch it. Put in glass tanks only!

 

[MrsBugmaster]

True or false their ‘beaks’ can scratch the tank’s glass? :(

Acrylic tanks yes, glass no

 

[MrsBugmaster]

My pencil urchin ate several of my rock flower anemones before I realized it was the culprit. Caught it in the act one day.

 

[AltitudeAquarium]

I have only had this urchin for a week that was inspired by this thread.

 

[JumboShrimp]

I just finished watching a TV show that showed urchins packed "300 to a square meter," knocking down huge kelps forests and making them bare. It was pretty interesting. ;Jawdrop

 

[HK180]

I've had a blue tuxedo urchin for about a year. Every so often, I shuck an oyster and the urchin comes running towards it, sits smack in the middle of it, and (I presume) eats it. I've never heard of this before... anyone else seen something like this?

 

[DoINeedAName?]

Top 3:
The Variegated - If you have a petco near you I would highly recommend checking to see if they have the Pincushion (Variegated) urchin. If you do see some hopefully they are healthy and doing well. I only paid $12 for mine, and there is a 30 day 'warranty' if they die. But after I acclimated mine and added him was moving around like crazy, and flawlessly acclimated to my tank. I have had him for almost a month.
Tuxedo - They are usually pretty easy. You can buy a captive bred one online since stores usually do not seem to carry captive bred ones for some reason. I think they may be more sensitive to higher nitrate, and should be acclimated really well to ensure they do well.
Shortspine/Rock Urchin - If you see one of these in a store I would highly recommend it!! They are super good! They will clean mostly the rocks, and pretty much scrape it down completely. It is insane. They'll also happily munch on any other algae on the rocks, and glass if they come across it. I like this service since they are helping give the rock space for the beneficial bacteria colonize by removing the algae.

Actually, petco does not warranty saltwater. Only fresh water. I think that’s kinda unfair of them. I have had them sell me dead snails and I notice after I pay for them. Even if I am still in the store, I can not get a different snail. This has happened twice. And once with a fish.

 

[GHOSTLY]

Loved my tuxedo but it passed sadly

 

[salty joe]

If I noticed I had a dead snail before I left a store and they would not make it right, I'd raise hell right now.

 

[Ghost25]

Finally able to take a clear picture of one of the two pencil urchins that hitchhiked on my rock. They have grown significantly since I first noticed them.

I think they are Eucidaris tribuloides, since the rock was from Florida. Different than the Hawaiian red pencil urchin
Heterocentrotus mamillatus.

 

[Kmst80]

I got two rock urchins, virtually for free since they came with the live rock. Love those little guys

 

[Kmst80]

Just having my coffee this morning and staring in the tank and what do i see...another urchin after more than 2 month of never seeing her. I guess it's a tuxedo? Love my hitchikers

Edit: Still staring and there is two now. Never saw them before...lol...

 

[Cantusaurus]

Actually, petco does not warranty saltwater. Only fresh water. I think that’s kinda unfair of them. I have had them sell me dead snails and I notice after I pay for them. Even if I am still in the store, I can not get a different snail. This has happened twice. And once with a fish.

Really?? That seriously sucks. I think they have policies, but they are all different in terms of which ones they enforce heavily. Mine does give warranty on anything aquatic I believe. They are kinda strict on other policies, and I think most will not nudge down the price if something is very pricey for no reason (such as their corals!!!!!). 30 bucks for a small Xenia frag LOLLL!
But they are definitely not all equal.
If the Urchin looks healthy tho at Petco (and they at least do a decent job caring for the tanks) then I'd get one.
Just make sure the acclimation process is REALLY good.

That's so unfair of them though. Even if it's the "policy". Like what the heck bro I haven't even walked out the store?? I would lose my mind if that happened to me. Sorry to hear that :(