How many urchins is too many?

[chefthomasr]

We have a 135gallon with approximately 275lbs of live rock. It has been up since December. We have 2 black long spined urchins and two blue tuxedo urchins.

How many more can I add? If I can find them I'd like a couple red tuxedos aka Rousseau's urchin.

Thanks as always,

Jenny

 

[Sk8r]

I'd recommend the hairy pincushion. Foster/Smith have them. They eat almost all varieties of algae. Mine is red and white striped.

 

[Bebo77]

why do you want more? do you have an algea problem?

 

[smoney]

I would add like 5 pincushion urchins, they come in many different colors and they really aren't really bouldozers. I would recommend them for sure.

 

[chefthomasr]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7924194#post7924194 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Sk8r
I'd recommend the hairy pincushion. Foster/Smith have them. They eat almost all varieties of algae. Mine is red and white striped.

Thanks for the tip.

No we don't have an algae problem. I just love urchins. They are awesome animals. So interesting to watch and grow and interact, I think they have a lot of personality.

5 more huh? That's what I was hoping to hear.

Thanks for your replies all.

 

[ophiuroid]

I disagree with that stocking rate, personally. What are they going to eat? You will need to spot feed them for sure, but even then, if you are saying you do not have an algae problem you are potentially setting them up for starvation.

They will for sure make some impact on coralline if that is a concern. Also keep in mind that not all urchins will graze solely on algae. Some may pose a threat to some soft corals as well.

I would strongly encourage some restraint, personally. Our tanks are often pretty heavily stocked with grazers (eg snails, hermits). But I would say you've got two long spines which get very large, and two tuxedos...maybe one or two more, but in time, you may have problems.

 

[chefthomasr]

So you think 5 or 6 max huh? Definately want to make sure everybody has enough to eat.

Thanks!

 

[smoney]

Personally, I dont think that the algae would be depleted.

The urchins eat many types of algae, such as hair algae, green algae, that hard algae thats hard to get off your glass, dried seaweed, some coraline, and even some macro algae.

So, I see where ophiuroid is coming from on the whole point of over stocking, but their are many various foods you can feed them. Its not like algae wont rejuvienate if an urchin eats some in an area.

Maybe just try 3 pincushion urchins.

 

[smoney]

Personally, I dont think that the algae would be depleted.

The urchins eat many types of algae, such as hair algae, green algae, that hard algae thats hard to get off your glass, dried seaweed, some coraline, and even some macro algae.

So, I see where ophiuroid is coming from on the whole point of over stocking, but their are many various foods you can feed them. Its not like algae wont rejuvienate if an urchin eats some in an area.

Maybe just try 3 pincushion urchins.

 

[chefthomasr]

Thanks for the advice!