cute lil' fellow: urchin

Sk8r · 12/07/2013, 01:23 PM

Haven't had an urchin in years. Got a larger tank, massive rock...got myself a little tuxedo urchin, and he's about an inch across. I've used tripneustes gracilis to take care of caulerpa, but they grow fast---and large. This little guy is forecast to max out at 2 inches...which should do fine in a 100 gal tank with large, stable rock.

The problem with urchins in general is that they shove---they shove specimens off, they shove rocks off, and they pick up your crabs and wear them as hats (well, on urchins it's the opposite end of their anatomy, actually, which is sensitive and wants protection, but we humans say 'hats.')

At any rate, if you get an urchin, be sure to have very good water quality (see my sig line) and very stable salinity (inverts don't like it to vary at all) and use reef putty or superglue to steady your rockwork, or you'll be having glass-threatening reefslides. With that one caveat, they're a fun addition. Never try to pick them up: you'll hurt them. They have hundreds of vulnerable little feet that will literally tear off if you remove them forcibly. So don't do that. Just assume an urchin will go where it wants when it wants, and that they can extricate themselves from whatever they got into. Glue down your rockwork, because they WILL find any rock that's unstable.

Outside of those caveats, they're a nice addition to a tank, as long as you don't pick a large species. Read the 'max size' on your proposed purchase, check it out in a book if you need to, because these creatures grow very, very fast.

FTDelta · 12/07/2013, 04:39 PM

Are they safe with established corals or will they attempt to push them off regardless? Curious for a tuxedo urchin was on my wish list for a future SW tank.

Sk8r · 12/07/2013, 05:55 PM

They'll try to dodge the corals: they may look as if they're encroaching, but in general, if the coral is puttied down firmly, they won't hurt them---unless you count swiping a loose mushroom or button to put on as a 'hat.' This freaks out people who have very few mushrooms to their name...but honestly, the mushrooms don't seem to mind. I've seen the shrooms spread out and feed just as happily as if they were properly stuck to a rock. I've had an urchin (tripneustes) in with montipora coral, which is about as breakage-prone as they come, and they did no damage, just kept the rocks clean.

shovelnose · 12/07/2013, 06:24 PM

I love my urchin but he sure keeps me adjusting my rock work and corals. Amazing how powerful they are. He's lucky he's cool looking.

DolphinzFan · 12/07/2013, 11:14 PM

I'm wanting to get an urchin as well sometime in the future when my tank is better established. Glad to see some feedback on them. Good luck.

Mazzy · 12/08/2013, 05:58 AM

I must have just gotten lucky. I had a little tuxedo for about a year before I tore down my last tank and didn't have a single rock slide. He was one of my favs in the tank.

johnike · 12/08/2013, 07:01 AM

My friend has one that has had a guitar pick stuck to it for many months now.
I like them, but have too many unattached frags.

And good to see you, Sk8r.

Nina51 · 12/08/2013, 08:06 AM

yes, very good to see you, sk8r!

i have a tuxedo in my 29g and a small pincushion in my 14g. my tuxedo is a model citizen. my pincushion, otoh, likes to decorate himself with anything that isn't nailed down. from one day to the next, i never know what he's gonna be packing around. recently, i have had to dislodge a feather duster from him. twice!

CoralReeForrest · 12/09/2013, 12:38 AM

Good info I really want a small Blue tux in the future. Also Sk8Tr I learned most of all Of my beginning knowledge of SW from you, just like to say thank you! Also pics??!

Sk8r · 12/09/2013, 12:42 PM

Lol---the little guy I got is only an inch across, and right now you cannot tell him from the rock, he has so much stuff stuck to him...I'd have to do a pic with an arrow saying 'urchin is here,' and you would not be much informed...

CoralReeForrest · 12/09/2013, 06:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sk8r

Lol---the little guy I got is only an inch across, and right now you cannot tell him from the rock, he has so much stuff stuck to him...I'd have to do a pic with an arrow saying 'urchin is here,' and you would not be much informed...

Oh I meant of your tank!! I don't believe I've ever seen it!

12/07/2013, 01:23 PM	#1
Sk8r RC Mod Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Spokane WA Posts: 34,628 Blog Entries: 55	cute lil' fellow: urchin Haven't had an urchin in years. Got a larger tank, massive rock...got myself a little tuxedo urchin, and he's about an inch across. I've used tripneustes gracilis to take care of caulerpa, but they grow fast---and large. This little guy is forecast to max out at 2 inches...which should do fine in a 100 gal tank with large, stable rock. The problem with urchins in general is that they shove---they shove specimens off, they shove rocks off, and they pick up your crabs and wear them as hats (well, on urchins it's the opposite end of their anatomy, actually, which is sensitive and wants protection, but we humans say 'hats.') At any rate, if you get an urchin, be sure to have very good water quality (see my sig line) and very stable salinity (inverts don't like it to vary at all) and use reef putty or superglue to steady your rockwork, or you'll be having glass-threatening reefslides. With that one caveat, they're a fun addition. Never try to pick them up: you'll hurt them. They have hundreds of vulnerable little feet that will literally tear off if you remove them forcibly. So don't do that. Just assume an urchin will go where it wants when it wants, and that they can extricate themselves from whatever they got into. Glue down your rockwork, because they WILL find any rock that's unstable. Outside of those caveats, they're a nice addition to a tank, as long as you don't pick a large species. Read the 'max size' on your proposed purchase, check it out in a book if you need to, because these creatures grow very, very fast. __________________ Sk8r Salinity 1.024-6; alkalinity 8.3-9.3 on KH scale; calcium 420; magnesium 1300, temp 78-80, nitrate .2. Ammonia 0. No filters: lps tank. Alk and cal won't rise if mg is low. Current Tank Info: 105g AquaVim wedge, yellow tang, sailfin blenny,royal gramma, ocellaris clown pair, yellow watchman, 100 microceriths, 25 tiny hermits, a 4" conch, 1" nassarius, recovering from 2 year hiatus with daily water change of 10%.

12/07/2013, 05:55 PM	#3
Sk8r RC Mod Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Spokane WA Posts: 34,628 Blog Entries: 55	They'll try to dodge the corals: they may look as if they're encroaching, but in general, if the coral is puttied down firmly, they won't hurt them---unless you count swiping a loose mushroom or button to put on as a 'hat.' This freaks out people who have very few mushrooms to their name...but honestly, the mushrooms don't seem to mind. I've seen the shrooms spread out and feed just as happily as if they were properly stuck to a rock. I've had an urchin (tripneustes) in with montipora coral, which is about as breakage-prone as they come, and they did no damage, just kept the rocks clean. __________________ Sk8r Salinity 1.024-6; alkalinity 8.3-9.3 on KH scale; calcium 420; magnesium 1300, temp 78-80, nitrate .2. Ammonia 0. No filters: lps tank. Alk and cal won't rise if mg is low. Current Tank Info: 105g AquaVim wedge, yellow tang, sailfin blenny,royal gramma, ocellaris clown pair, yellow watchman, 100 microceriths, 25 tiny hermits, a 4" conch, 1" nassarius, recovering from 2 year hiatus with daily water change of 10%.

12/08/2013, 08:06 AM	#8
Nina51 biggliest cofveve champ Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: 5th floor, Illinois, gewgaw expert Posts: 3,506	yes, very good to see you, sk8r! i have a tuxedo in my 29g and a small pincushion in my 14g. my tuxedo is a model citizen. my pincushion, otoh, likes to decorate himself with anything that isn't nailed down. from one day to the next, i never know what he's gonna be packing around. recently, i have had to dislodge a feather duster from him. twice! __________________ of all the things i've lost, i miss my gary the most. Never hold your farts in. They travel up your spine into your brain, and that is where crappy ideas come from. Current Tank Info: i gave my reef away and i feel like a bird out of a cage!!

12/09/2013, 12:42 PM	#10
Sk8r RC Mod Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Spokane WA Posts: 34,628 Blog Entries: 55	Lol---the little guy I got is only an inch across, and right now you cannot tell him from the rock, he has so much stuff stuck to him...I'd have to do a pic with an arrow saying 'urchin is here,' and you would not be much informed... __________________ Sk8r Salinity 1.024-6; alkalinity 8.3-9.3 on KH scale; calcium 420; magnesium 1300, temp 78-80, nitrate .2. Ammonia 0. No filters: lps tank. Alk and cal won't rise if mg is low. Current Tank Info: 105g AquaVim wedge, yellow tang, sailfin blenny,royal gramma, ocellaris clown pair, yellow watchman, 100 microceriths, 25 tiny hermits, a 4" conch, 1" nassarius, recovering from 2 year hiatus with daily water change of 10%.

12/07/2013, 04:39 PM	#2
FTDelta Moved On Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Central NY Posts: 1,124	Are they safe with established corals or will they attempt to push them off regardless? Curious for a tuxedo urchin was on my wish list for a future SW tank.

12/07/2013, 06:24 PM	#4
shovelnose Registered Member Join Date: May 2013 Location: Canada Posts: 27	I love my urchin but he sure keeps me adjusting my rock work and corals. Amazing how powerful they are. He's lucky he's cool looking.

12/07/2013, 11:14 PM	#5
DolphinzFan Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: Gillespie, Illinois Posts: 147	I'm wanting to get an urchin as well sometime in the future when my tank is better established. Glad to see some feedback on them. Good luck.

12/08/2013, 05:58 AM	#6
Mazzy Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Michigan! GO BLUE!! Posts: 172	I must have just gotten lucky. I had a little tuxedo for about a year before I tore down my last tank and didn't have a single rock slide. He was one of my favs in the tank.

12/08/2013, 07:01 AM	#7
johnike Moved On Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Bureau County Illinois Posts: 5,406	My friend has one that has had a guitar pick stuck to it for many months now. I like them, but have too many unattached frags. And good to see you, Sk8r.

12/09/2013, 12:38 AM	#9
CoralReeForrest Registered Member Join Date: May 2013 Location: Redding,Ca Posts: 1,010	Good info I really want a small Blue tux in the future. Also Sk8Tr I learned most of all Of my beginning knowledge of SW from you, just like to say thank you! Also pics??!