Sea Urchin Problems

[fishgate]

About 2 months ago I moved my pincushion sea urchin from my old, well established tank to my new one that has been up for around 6 months or so. It is starting to lose spines which I know is a sign it is not happy. I think there is not enough food for it. I run GFO and keep up on water changes so I see almost no algae growing anywhere in the tank. I have tried spot feeding it by dropping pellets, flakes and frozen brine right on top of it but I am not sure that is effective.

Any advice? I'd hate to lose it.

 

[Sk8r]

CHeck your alkalinity. s/b 7.9-8.3 thereabouts.

 

[Grkgod36]

could also be your tank is too clean/new for him same thing was happening to mine so i moved him into my fuge and he is thriving !!!

 

[fishgate]

I bought some sheets of nori to feed it. Can I just kind of wedge the nori under him and he'll munch on it? I'm afraid he won't find it if I clip it somewhere.

 

[neededahobby]

I just searched how to feed an urchin too since I added one to deal with a green hair algae explosion and now that it is under control and I worry it will starve (or eat all coraline)

Apparently you can feed them nori - but not using clips or large pieces. Also DONT drop it on them - just hold near until spines take it. Recommendations are take a stamp size piece and I just did it and it worked! Best when I held it flat against the glass right by the urchin. google Youtube feedingurchin and you can find examples.

However keep an eye out to see if it is pooping - lots of poop = plenty of food and would indicate that the problem is something else.

 

[Rhygar666]

I feed mine using a clip usually he rips the clip right off and carries it around but eats all of the algae, usually he finds it after like 5 minutes of adding it to my tank