tuxedo urchin

[cloak]

What exactly do they feed on? My LFS had a nice one today for $12. I was told they are no different than a hemit crab. Pretty much just scavenge. Any information would be great.

Thanks.

 

[cnaegler]

Mine spends all it's time on the back glass eating algae

 

[cloak]

Diatoms, coralline, macro?

 

[EllieSuz]

I've heard they feed chiefly on coralline algae. They pick up just about anything not tied down and use it for camouflage. Mine is sporting two Zoa frags, a pink paly and an empty bumble bee snail shell. They are the healthiest corals in my tank, so I don't mind one bit. Go get one; they are fun to watch. I heard a dead one can really foul a tank, but I check on mine every day and have had it more than a year.

 

[cloak]

Thank you for the reply's.

This tank I have is still new. Five months I think. It's a BB tank and the rocks are just now starting to take on a purple hue. Everything is doing great but, I just don't want to watch this thing waste away.

Thanks again...

 

[cnaegler]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14858666#post14858666 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by cloak
Diatoms, coralline, macro?

Yep. He cleans the brown algae off the back glass. Never touches the hair algae. I also have a long spine that seems to only eat coralline off the side glass but i don't mind.