Good Urchin...Bad Urchin?

[jade2122]

I have this little guy in my tank as a hitchhiker, he is only out at night but wondering if he is reefsafe or not. Eat corals, coraline, et??? thank you!

 

[tmz]

Not corals but probably some coraline.

 

[Steveabg]

We have that same guy in our tank, and he doesn't bother anything, at all. He only comes out at night, and grazes algae. It might also bore a hole in the rock, but that's about it.

http://www.edge-of-reef.com/echinoidi/ECHEchinometramathaeien.htm

 

[J. Montgomery]

it may be a common rock burrowing urchin

 

[jade2122]

So he doesn't eat coraline? If so I want to take him out.

 

[J. Montgomery]

Coralline is an algae, and I think most if not all urchins graze on coralline.

 

[shrinky]

I've had one in my tank for over a year now - yes he eats coralline (evident by white "bite" marks) - however, even in my 29 gallon he can't keep up with the normal coralline growth, so if you're worried about losing all of your coralline I wouldn't.