hitch hiker?

jspot · 08/05/2006, 09:43 PM

I have what appears to be 2 baby pin cushion urchins. My tank has been set up for well over 10 months and just a few days ago I noticed the 1, and today I can see another. They are about the size of a pencil eraser, but other than that look just like other pin cushions. Is it possible that there were eggs on the live rock that hatched and are finally at a size and shape that can be identified or could they be something else? I am not sure if I should just leave them be or take them out. From watching the first for a few days and today the other, they don't seem to be interested in any of my corals, just pretty much staying in the same area. When the lights come on both make their way into the shade, avoiding any bright light. So should I be concerned here or just let them be? Hopefully I don't find more but there are alot of places to hide in over 100 pounds of rock.

bertoni · 08/05/2006, 10:03 PM

They probably arrived as small urchins, and are just getting visible in size. I would watch them, at least. Can you get a picture?

jspot · 08/05/2006, 10:21 PM

Might be closer to long spined urchins after seeing some pics of them on the internet. I took a couple of crappy pictures though, see if you can tell. Sorry for the glare from the flash, all lights are out in tank.

bertoni · 08/05/2006, 10:33 PM

I guess I'd gamble and leave them, but some urchins are reported to eat zoanthids, etc, from time to time.

08/05/2006, 09:43 PM	#1
jspot Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Posts: 116	hitch hiker? I have what appears to be 2 baby pin cushion urchins. My tank has been set up for well over 10 months and just a few days ago I noticed the 1, and today I can see another. They are about the size of a pencil eraser, but other than that look just like other pin cushions. Is it possible that there were eggs on the live rock that hatched and are finally at a size and shape that can be identified or could they be something else? I am not sure if I should just leave them be or take them out. From watching the first for a few days and today the other, they don't seem to be interested in any of my corals, just pretty much staying in the same area. When the lights come on both make their way into the shade, avoiding any bright light. So should I be concerned here or just let them be? Hopefully I don't find more but there are alot of places to hide in over 100 pounds of rock.

08/05/2006, 10:03 PM	#2
bertoni RC Mod Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Mountain View, CA, USA Posts: 88,616	They probably arrived as small urchins, and are just getting visible in size. I would watch them, at least. Can you get a picture? __________________ Jonathan Bertoni

08/05/2006, 10:33 PM	#4
bertoni RC Mod Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Mountain View, CA, USA Posts: 88,616	I guess I'd gamble and leave them, but some urchins are reported to eat zoanthids, etc, from time to time. __________________ Jonathan Bertoni

08/05/2006, 10:21 PM	#3
jspot Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Posts: 116	Might be closer to long spined urchins after seeing some pics of them on the internet. I took a couple of crappy pictures though, see if you can tell. Sorry for the glare from the flash, all lights are out in tank.