Sea urchin and turbo snails

[gussy]

By the way, I feed the tank those algae disk at night as I don't have much algae in the tank. They must be eating something as they've been there close to a year.

 

[Crusty Old Shellback]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6973631#post6973631 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by NoSchwag
This guy was the worst. A snail assassin.

Funny, I have one of those exact ones in my tank and he hasn't bothered a single snail. eats hair alage all day long.

I also have some others ones in my other tanks that look similar, just dark bodies and no purple on the spines. All I've seen them eat too is hair alage. I have seen them on occasion with a live snail attached to their body. I just knock them off and the snail goes back to work in the sand.

 

[Arik]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6973035#post6973035 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by NoSchwag
I'm going out on a limb here and say your urchin will eat your snails.

That could not be farther from the truth. I think you are mistaking what you are seeing in your urchins behavior for carnivorous behavior when they are simply searching for algae or more camouflage to put on their backs. Urchins simply aren't built for eating snails. Ask Dr. Shimek to explain if you are interested in a detailed explanation.

 

[Paul79936]

I have seen mine eat limpits. They seem to be built adequately for the job.

 

[Sicklid]

They DO eat snails.

 

[Angel*Fish]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7123538#post7123538 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Sicklid
They DO eat snails.

Does that urchin live on your nice blue drapes?

 

[Sicklid]

That is actually the blue back liner of my aquarium. He pulled the snail off of the inside of the tank, and turned him over.

 

[Angel*Fish]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7127029#post7127029 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Sicklid
That is actually the blue back liner of my aquarium. He pulled the snail off of the inside of the tank, and turned him over.

Well I figured it was something like that but I was just picturing him living in the den or something - would be weird, huh?

 

[Sicklid]

Actually, he spends most of his time in the weight room training for the Olympics.

 

[RayD]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6974620#post6974620 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Joao Monteiro
ThatÃ"šÃ‚´s a Mespillia globulus, I have one of those, too.
ItÃ"šÃ‚´s strickly herbivorous - voracious microalgae eater -and does not attack snails nor eat coralin. I think its the best option for a reef.
But, as you said, anything not attached to the rocks, will be (sooner or later) attached to its back...Mine has two residente mushrooms that he carries around the tank

Mine carries around sheets of GSP.

 

[garvondavis14]

noschwag- what kind of urchin is that colorful one?

 

[jumpincactus]

here are two documented genus of urchins that are carnivorus and will eat meat..............

But as someone mentioned earlier most urchins sold in the reef hobby usually wont be this type. If someone tries to sell you one of these avoid them as they will eat anything smaller than them. Including corals.

Pencil Urchins
Eucidaris tribuloides (Caribbean)
Largely carnivorous; will eat many decorative animals, also can eat ââ"šÂ¬Ã…"œsleepingââ"šÂ¬Ã‚ fish, or shrimp.

Eucidaris metularia (Pacific) Largely carnivorous.

 

[pactrop]

nice picture. did it actually eat the snail or clean the algae off its shell?

 

[NoSchwag]

I don't know for sure what urchins eat what kinds of food, I just know that the 3 I have/had cleared my tank of about 200 Astrea snails.

Plus I am just regurgitating stuff I saw posted somewhere..

http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&postid=6289793#post6289793

 

[NoSchwag]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7192506#post7192506 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by pactrop
nice picture. did it actually eat the snail or clean the algae off its shell?

Mine would suck the meat right out and leave an empty shell. I have a keg cup full of shells.

 

[NoSchwag]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7135045#post7135045 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by garvondavis14
noschwag- what kind of urchin is that colorful one?

I was told it was a "fire urchin". Not really sure of the exact type.

 

[Angel*Fish]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7228501#post7228501 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by NoSchwag
I was told it was a "fire urchin". Not really sure of the exact type.

Keep us posted as to his behavior I'd love to have one of those they are beautiful.

 

[garvondavis14]

yeah, they are pretty sweet..how long have u had it?

 

[tibbs2]

My diadema has taken bites out of my montipora and my fox coral as it passes over them.

And be careful with the fire urchin. It's sting can put you in the hospital.

 

[mthedude]

will any urchins eat coraline off the walls?