Long spine sea urchin - spawning?

[bdturtle21]

Hey all,

I have a black long spine sea urchin in my 55-gallon tank (he came as a hitchhiker on some coral) and he recently spawned. From what I've read, this isn't uncommon - but I'm curious if anyone knows what environmental parameters cue them to spawn. He is the only urchin in my tank (though several other tank-mates seem to be spawning/mating right now, including a bonded pair of firefish).

Thoughts on what makes them spawn?

And, since I have a 55-gallon AND a long-spine sea urchin, anyone know anyone who wants a sea urchin? I love him, and he is a great member of my tiny reef (other than the white lines he leaves across the rock, though honestly I love that!) - but he is is outgrowing my tank. I am going to upgrade, but I don't think that even my upgrade (~150gallon) will be big enough. . .

Thanks everyone!!

 

[Ron Reefman]

A long spine urchin in a 55g and it's not knocking everything over and eating all the coraline off the rocks?

BTW, they are illegal to collect even with a salt water fishing license in Florida!

I'd love to see a couple of pics.

 

[d2mini]

i don't know what causes it but mine have done it twice that i know of.
Got the money shot on video once. Peter North would be proud.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=97o2gGmPm9Q

 

[bdturtle21]

He doesn't knock anything over, but yes, he does eat the coraline algae. I also feed him nori (you can see him munching it in one of the pics).

My 55 gallon is certainly too small, and I am trying to rehome him (even asked a local AQ if they would be interested, but unfortunately they don't have an exhibit right now that would be appropriate for him). Right now, he's only ~3inches diameter and seems to have stopped growing, other than the length of his spines. That is the biggest problem - but the spines do break off as he moves about the tank, so stay somewhat 'trimmed'. If he's spawning, I imagine he's happy - I just know he needs a bigger tank (soon!). . .

There's no regulation on them in Washington (as far as I can tell - plenty of regulations on the native urchins, but haven't found anything the long spines).

Here are a few pics:





Thanks!

 

[bdturtle21]

That's super cool d2mini!! I didn't get any pics of mine spawning, unfortunately. I was too amazed - so just stood there w/ my jaw dropped watching. Next time I'll be prepared.

Do you have yours in your 200 gallon? Do you have just one, or a pair? I'm looking to upgrade and would love to keep my urchin, but am thinking to go with ~150gallons - not sure that is big enough for him...

Thanks!

 

[d2mini]

I don't have him any more. Once they get too big (they grow fast) i end up removing them.
I'm sorry but at the time I don't remember if I had just the one or not. I would guess there was more than one but couldn't tell you for sure.
And yes, in my 200g.

 

[Bent]

i don't know what causes it but mine have done it twice that i know of.
Got the money shot on video once. Peter North would be proud.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=97o2gGmPm9Q

Showin' your age there Dennis. :lolspin:

 

[Johnseye]

I don't have him any more. Once they get too big (they grow fast) i end up removing them.
I'm sorry but at the time I don't remember if I had just the one or not. I would guess there was more than one but couldn't tell you for sure.
And yes, in my 200g.

How did you end up removing them? I got one medium sized with my TBS rock a couple months ago. He's now huge and I have about 8 more babies growing up very very fast.

 

[d2mini]

How did you end up removing them? I got one medium sized with my TBS rock a couple months ago. He's now huge and I have about 8 more babies growing up very very fast.

Yeah I have a bunch of babies too.
They grow so fast!
You can just pull them off the rocks. Either by hand or with some tweezers/tongs.

 

[formsix]

I have at least 3 medium sized pincushion and 4 black spine (like the one in Dennis' video) in my 75 gallons tank, all courtesy of my TBS rock. I've noticed they tend to spawn after I've done some major work in the tank. I'm not sure if it's related to the actual stuff I'm doing (like my hands in the tank, or moving rock around) or the parameters changing from the subsequent water change, but something in all that often sets one of them off.