Black spiny urchins

[awestruck]

Do black spiny urchins serve any type of useful purpose in a reef tank?

 

[greenbean36191]

If you're talking about Diadema, then yes, they're some of the best turf algae grazers around.

 

[awestruck]

Sorry, I'm not sure of their scientific name. They are black, a plethora of spiky things, and one large orange eye. Very cool looking. But, can they poke corals (inadvertantly) and hurt the corals?

 

[kryppy]

I have six running around in a 90 and they are the best.
They can move over anything without causing harm.

 

[greenbean36191]

It sounds like you are indeed talking about Diadema. They won't poke your corals. And that big orange eye... that's their anus.

 

[awestruck]

thanx for the info. An orange anus? Yuck!

 

[kryppy]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8403605#post8403605 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by greenbean36191
It sounds like you are indeed talking about Diadema. They won't poke your corals. And that big orange eye... that's their anus.

This?

 

[ophiuroid]

Nope, that is the mouth.

 

[awestruck]

I was going to say something funny about an orange anus but I think I better pass...:lolspin: