Need urchin info...

[MikeP471612]

I would like to get a sea urchin. The LFS has long spined and tuxedo urchins. My tank is a 30 gal FOWLR. I have 30 pounds of LR, crushed coral substrate, 2 faulse clowns, 2 pseudeocromis, 1 blue damsel, a CBS and a turbo snail. I want to add 1 urchin (if I have room?) but which one. Is there special care involved for urchins? Are they 'hardy'? If I buy one from the LFS what do I need to know?

Thanks for any help.

 

[Travis L. Stevens]

I wouldn't recommend it. Your tank is rather small and heavilly stocked. Yes, urchins are hardy with care. Of course, like with all invertebrates, you don't want to have high amounts of nitrates or any copper. You know the drill. Urchins are herbivores, so they will eat algae. Some people even can feed theirs nori. I would be careful about getting one though because they are strong and if your rockwork isn't secured, they will tumble it all down.

 

[ophiuroid]

If you decided to get one, go with the tuxedo for sure. The long spine will get far too large for your tank.

Specific gravity and acclimation are also critical with urchins, as with any of their relatives (eg seastars). What are your specific water parameters?

You may indeed need to spot feed the urchin in the future. In addition to bulldozing, note that some may possibly eat any soft corals in their path. This is not likely with tuxedo's, IMO, but there is always some risk (most commonly with slate pencil urchins).