Pencil Urchins reef safe?

[BradsOcean]

I have a 12g nanocube tank btw. So i went to the lfs and saw some pencil urchins and it reminded me so much of snorkeling in hawaii. I was wondering if a small one would be fine in a 12g reef tank?
thanks
brad

 

[nikon187]

they can move very large rocks for their size..

some people say they eat encrusting corals like GSP, zoos ect. but i have never seen it. They do eat algea like no tommorow though, all types of algea including coraline

 

[navychief]

Re: Pencil Urchins reef safe?

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13011323#post13011323 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by BradsOcean
I have a 12g nanocube tank btw. So i went to the lfs and saw some pencil urchins and it reminded me so much of snorkeling in hawaii. I was wondering if a small one would be fine in a 12g reef tank?
thanks
brad

I've had mine now for about 8 months or so. No issues except it being a Hercules with LR.

 

[snorvich]

The bulldozer effect is what turns off most people including me. They will knock things over all the time.

 

[greenbean36191]

Well considering that they're mainly carnivorous, I would say no. They certainly eat algae, but sessile inverts make up a big chunk of their diet, so it's only a matter of time.

 

[alextheromanian]

i heard they eat coraline algae...if you have a coraline algae problem...yeah i guess...other than that i dont know if id get one but then again this is what ive HEARD i dont hve eprience with them

 

[matthewscars]

No. My one took out a 5 inch Colt coral like nothing. and started going after some cloves. I couldnt sell mine so i just gave them away. Long spiney ones are very similar. Just get a cool Tuxedo.