Blue Spotted Urchin (Astropyga radiata) ?

[maxxII]

Is the blue spotted urchin (Astropyga radiata) reef safe? I read in Sprung's book "Reef Invertebrates", that it was, and in another book at the LFS that said it wasnt safe. From what I'm able gather on the web, it is a Diadema species of urchin...so I'm guessing it is, but would like clarification before putting this in my reef tank.

Nick

 

[CarlC]

Calfo notes (Reef Inverts page 337) that it is an algae eater but will also eat inverts. He recommends it should be fed meaty foods several times weekly.

Carl

 

[LeslieH]

As reef safe as any urchin is. More importantly be careful when you handle it. These things aren't called fire urchins for nothing.