Urchin health

[jeffey]

My 100 gallon reef tank urchin is loosing its spines
It’s been in my tank over 5 years
If it dies will it contaminate the tank

 

[revhtree Verified Admin]

Welcome to your new home for saltwater reef aquarium resources and fun! Welcome to the family! :D

 

[WalkerLovesTheOcean]

Welcome to Reef2reef!

Unfortuantly I can't answer your question.

 

[CO2TLEY]

 

[Reef Wizard]

Hello. I believe they are not toxic but you may get an ammonia spike so I would watch for that

 

[Ocean_Queenie]

Hello & Welcome to R2R!

 

[Mr Fishface]

Welcome to the forums! It could cause an ammonia spike like someone else mentioned but that should be it. If your tank is really mature, which it sounds like it is being over 5 years old, it should be able to handle the ammonia quickly. Just my 2 cents.

 

[zheka757]

Welcome to R2R!

 

[vetteguy53081]

My 100 gallon reef tank urchin is loosing its spines
It’s been in my tank over 5 years
If it dies will it contaminate the tank

It loses spines due to stressors such as starvation, high nitrates, low salinity as example

 

[vetteguy53081]

 

[Brisk]

Welcome!

 

[1112-425XL]

 

[56longroof]

Welcome to R2R.

 

[Dragen Fiend]

For the tank size and maturity. Likely not going to hurt the tank.

You can always take it out ahead of time. I had one die in a 15 gallon tank. Size of 2 quarters and no issues. I'd first identify why its losing spikes.

Also is it a lot of spikes or just a couple? Mine sheds spikes every so often.
Salinity change
temp swing
starving

 

[shakacuz]

welcome aboard the r2r board. hello from PA!

 

[Gumbies R Us]

My 100 gallon reef tank urchin is loosing its spines
It’s been in my tank over 5 years
If it dies will it contaminate the tank

Any changes to your tank? Parameter swings? Anything that could be bothering it?

 

[kvansloo]

Hello, and welcome.

 

[Shnetts]

Welcome to R2R!!!

 

[Paul B]

This 12 year old recently died in my tank. First he started to lose his spines like they normally do just before they die. My tank is 125 gallons and nothing happened. I have kept many urchins and eventually they all died but I just leave them in the tank


Here is just before he died.

 

[PharmrJohn]

Greetings and Welcome to our collective obsession!