Glass climbing urchin?!

[Whiterabbitrage]

Was surprised to see the rock boring urchin in the very upper corner of the tank this morning. How the heck did this little guy climb the glass? I had no idea they could do that.

 

[Calappidae]

You can picture their tubefeet (like starfish) as octopus suction cups.

 

[Whiterabbitrage]

This morning he is still there. Is he ok? What didn't he go graze last night? Really worried. He was a hitch hiker and I would hate like heck to lose him.

 

[Sk8r]

He may sleep and digest a while. They poo out their top, which they often protect with shells and debris. And check your alkalinity. should be about 8.3.

 

[Whiterabbitrage]

8.3? Seriously? Oh boy. I keep it higher. It's at just over 9, closer to 10. I will stop the Kalkwasser top off, and do a water change. Hope he's ok. It's great to get such a good look at him for once. He was smaller than a pea when I first found him. He's jaw breaker size now. I'd be heart broken if he died. Any other special tips you guys can give? I want to give him the best care possible. Thank you.

 

[Betta132]

Careful- don't change the parameters too fast or it will kill stuff.

 

[Calappidae]

I would only increase/decrease the ph 0.1 per hour. I personally don't recommend using buffers to do this either (They usually screw something else up like alkalinity), do some water changes and just let it stablize itself.