Do any urchins eat zoanthids?

Thorsx · 02/27/2006, 02:21 PM

Placed an urchin in my 180 hoping it would eat grape caulerpa. Noticed a line of coraline algea stripped from rock in a line leading towards some zoos. Half of the zooz were missing from the rock. I suspect the urchin to have eaten the zoos but I can't confirm this. If urchins eat zoos maybe they eat other soft corals?

LobsterOfJustice · 02/27/2006, 02:29 PM

what kind of urchin?

Thorsx · 02/28/2006, 09:21 AM

To tell the truth I am not sure. LFS owner didn't know. Its NOT a Diadema or Tuxedo urchin. It has thick tan spikes that spread out at the base. Body is redish.

steve the plumb · 02/28/2006, 09:35 AM

I have a coloured urchin he eats the calerpa in my sump.They do eat coraline algea but I never saw it eat zoos.Probably went next to them to eat the algea.

RichConley · 02/28/2006, 09:41 AM

It may have just torn them up. They can make quite a mess.

steve the plumb · 02/28/2006, 09:48 AM

yes they do and they knock corals over if they aren't glued to the rocks.

jimroth · 02/28/2006, 03:08 PM

Sounds like a pencil urchin, and yes, they are meat eaters. I had one eat my long-term blue linckia after I put it in to eat hydroids.

Oh, by the way, they don't eat hydroids.

Thorsx · 03/01/2006, 10:13 AM

I have found out that the urchin is likely a rock boring urchin, Echinometra Mathaei, or a reef urchin, Echinometra Viridis. Since being placed in the tank the urchin hasn't moved more that 3 inches from the spot it was first placed. If it stays put I may keep him in tha main display. Anyone have experience with rock boring urchins in a reef display? Am I asking for trouble keeping it in the main display?

02/27/2006, 02:21 PM	#1
Thorsx Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Orlando Fl. Posts: 264	Do any urchins eat zoanthids? Placed an urchin in my 180 hoping it would eat grape caulerpa. Noticed a line of coraline algea stripped from rock in a line leading towards some zoos. Half of the zooz were missing from the rock. I suspect the urchin to have eaten the zoos but I can't confirm this. If urchins eat zoos maybe they eat other soft corals? __________________ Thor Ink Current Tank Info: 180 in wall. Fore-Reef, cave.

02/27/2006, 02:29 PM	#2
LobsterOfJustice Recovering Detritophobe Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Cary, NC Posts: 7,443	what kind of urchin? __________________ If it's worth doing, it's worth doing right. I remember when zoanthids were called things like "green" and "orange" and not "reverse gorilla nipple." Current Tank Info: 180g reef with all the bells and whistles

02/28/2006, 09:21 AM	#3
Thorsx Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Orlando Fl. Posts: 264	To tell the truth I am not sure. LFS owner didn't know. Its NOT a Diadema or Tuxedo urchin. It has thick tan spikes that spread out at the base. Body is redish. __________________ Thor Ink Current Tank Info: 180 in wall. Fore-Reef, cave.

02/28/2006, 09:41 AM	#5
RichConley Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Bostonian in Chicago going to DC Posts: 9,908	It may have just torn them up. They can make quite a mess. __________________ NO TANKS!!!

02/28/2006, 03:08 PM	#7
jimroth Moving Money Join Date: May 2001 Location: Rockaway, NJ Posts: 1,764	Sounds like a pencil urchin, and yes, they are meat eaters. I had one eat my long-term blue linckia after I put it in to eat hydroids. Oh, by the way, they don't eat hydroids. __________________ Jim Roth --------------- Current Tank Info: 250G custom SPS System w/3X Radions

02/28/2006, 09:35 AM	#4
steve the plumb Moved On Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Montreal, Canada Posts: 3,664	I have a coloured urchin he eats the calerpa in my sump.They do eat coraline algea but I never saw it eat zoos.Probably went next to them to eat the algea.

02/28/2006, 09:48 AM	#6
steve the plumb Moved On Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Montreal, Canada Posts: 3,664	yes they do and they knock corals over if they aren't glued to the rocks.

03/01/2006, 10:13 AM	#8
Thorsx Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Orlando Fl. Posts: 264	I have found out that the urchin is likely a rock boring urchin, Echinometra Mathaei, or a reef urchin, Echinometra Viridis. Since being placed in the tank the urchin hasn't moved more that 3 inches from the spot it was first placed. If it stays put I may keep him in tha main display. Anyone have experience with rock boring urchins in a reef display? Am I asking for trouble keeping it in the main display? __________________ Thor Ink Current Tank Info: 180 in wall. Fore-Reef, cave.