Urchin dead?

[Melia]

Just about a month ago, I set up my new 55 gallon. It was cycling for a while, and I added live rock as well. I got a cheap fish to see if the tank was ready, and it’s been doing really well. I assumed the tank was ready, all the parameters in the tank are at safe levels and things seem just fine.
Yesterday, I went to a local pet store to buy some more hermit crabs, turbos, and a pincushion sea urchin. The hermits and turbos are just fine, but the urchin hasn’t moved since I placed it in the tank.
I of course acclimated the urchin for maybe 20 minutes, and I gently placed him inside the tank. Yesterday he wasn’t moving much at all, but I left him because I thought he would be okay.
This morning, some of the spines have fallen off. He still hasn’t moved, but I haven’t seen any urchin semen or eggs come out (since they let go of that once near death)
I don’t wanna give up on him yet unless it’s certain he’s dead. Any tips?

Side note: I also bought a chocolate chip sea star that retracted its’ tube feet about half an hour into the tank, and also hasn’t moved. Any ideas?

 

[Jason mack]

#Reefsquad...any ideas ..??

 

[Flippers4pups]

Just about a month ago, I set up my new 55 gallon. It was cycling for a while, and I added live rock as well. I got a cheap fish to see if the tank was ready, and it’s been doing really well. I assumed the tank was ready, all the parameters in the tank are at safe levels and things seem just fine.
Yesterday, I went to a local pet store to buy some more hermit crabs, turbos, and a pincushion sea urchin. The hermits and turbos are just fine, but the urchin hasn’t moved since I placed it in the tank.
I of course acclimated the urchin for maybe 20 minutes, and I gently placed him inside the tank. Yesterday he wasn’t moving much at all, but I left him because I thought he would be okay.
This morning, some of the spines have fallen off. He still hasn’t moved, but I haven’t seen any urchin semen or eggs come out (since they let go of that once near death)
I don’t wanna give up on him yet unless it’s certain he’s dead. Any tips?

Side note: I also bought a chocolate chip sea star that retracted its’ tube feet about half an hour into the tank, and also hasn’t moved. Any ideas?

Unfortunately, inverts require a much longer acclimation time than 20 mins. They require at least 1 to 2 hours drip acclimation.

Stars and urchins can suffer from osmotic shock from water pramameter differences from what water they were in and the water your transferring into.

Hoping for the best, but it doesn't sound good.

 

[Captain Quint]

^^^ +1 and...

Not uncommon for them to lose some. In fact, they grow back unless problems are found in the system itself.

Do you have any pictures and can you tell us exact parameters and if copper has ever been used in the 55g?

 

[Melia]

Not uncommon for them to lose some. In fact, they grow back unless problems are found in the system itself.

Do you have any pictures and can you tell us exact parameters and if copper has ever been used in the 55g?

Ammonia: 0.0-0.02 ppm
Nitrite: 0.2 ppm
Nitrate: 5ppm
Salinity: 1.023 gravity
pH: 7.8
Alkalinity: around 300ppm
No copper has been used in the tank.
I’ve never heard of such a long acclimation before, that may be it. I used to live by the beach where I would just pick up whatever creatures in my bucket, and the temperature was always a constant 80°, but I now live in climates of 20°-30°, so perhaps that should’ve been taken into consideration.

 

[Flippers4pups]

It's typically not temp that does damage, it's differences in salinity. If where you got them from kept them in lower or higher SG, the sudden difference can cause their tissues to rupture. Slightest difference in SG can cause irreversible damage. Thus long acclimation is need slowly.

 

[Mical]

Maybe it's an Oman but a chocolate star is not reef safe - unless you're not doing corals.

personally I would wait 3-6 months before adding urchins, nems or stars until your params flatten out/stabilize.

 

[Captain Quint]

Ammonia: 0.0-0.02 ppm
Nitrite: 0.2 ppm
Nitrate: 5ppm
Salinity: 1.023 gravity
pH: 7.8
Alkalinity: around 300ppm
No copper has been used in the tank.
I’ve never heard of such a long acclimation before, that may be it. I used to live by the beach where I would just pick up whatever creatures in my bucket, and the temperature was always a constant 80°, but I now live in climates of 20°-30°, so perhaps that should’ve been taken into consideration.

The ammonia albeit low and nitrite concern me in regards to your inverts TBH.

 

[vetteguy53081]

If the separation of needles is steady whereas the urchin is going bald persay- it is done.
I agree on the introduction of all inverts. They have no gills or backbone and require a lengthy acclimation via drip or bucket with water added over an hr or more prior to introduction.

 

[justmee]

I agree with all the helpful comments above, but I still think your tank is fairly new and is not built up and not ready to sustain a healthy environment for some inverts. Also, urchins feeds on algae, and I don't think your tank has built up enough or any beneficial algae to feed the urchin.

My tank has been up and running for approx. 10 years, and I just bought my first urchin a month ago. I drip acclimated for 30 minutes, and it's doing fine.

Be patient, and do research before you buy.

Goodluck.

 

[vetteguy53081]

I agree with all the helpful comments above, but I still think your tank is fairly new and is not built up and not ready to sustain a healthy environment for some inverts. Also, urchins feeds on algae, and I don't think your tank has built up enough or any beneficial algae to feed the urchin.

My tank has been up and running for approx. 10 years, and I just bought my first urchin a month ago. I drip acclimated for 30 minutes, and it's doing fine.

Be patient, and do research before you buy.

Goodluck.

Agreed. Many cool specimens out there but one must wait- Its worth the wait !

 

[steallife904]

I have 2 urchins in my tank, both are around 7 months in tank. The tank has been up for 4 years. Your tank was 100% to new for urchins or stars. They need plenty of algae and coralline algae to survive. if he is losing spines and not moving he is a goner. I have witnessed it before

 

[jtl]

^ Had that happen recently.

 

[Bryce M.]

Yeah, way more than a month to add stuff like that. Only early invert I'd add would be hermits because they are pretty hardy