Do any urchins eat zoanthids?

[Thorsx]

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]

what kind of urchin?

 

[Thorsx]

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]

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]

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

 

[steve the plumb]

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

 

[jimroth]

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]

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?