Urchin has not moved

[Logzor]

My short-spine urchin (purple) has not moved in almost 6 days. I see his spines moving around quite frequently but he has not changed more than a couple of inches in position.

Should I move him to a darker spot in the tank? Right now he is under some algae so it is about 70% shaded.

 

[rlm2005]

What is your water quality like? Urchins do not do well with high nitrates. Have you noticed a loss of spines?

 

[Logzor]

My water quality is fine.

I have noticed a couple of spines on the ground around it. Like it mentioned i think it has grown a bit since I first picked it up.

0 Nitrate
0 Nitrite
8.2 PH
8.7 DKH
440 calcium
.0265 salinity

 

[rlm2005]

Loss of spines and not moving. Not a good sign. What was it eating before it stopped moving? How old are your test kits or did the LFS do the test?

 

[Logzor]

Test kits are new and I did the testing.

Last night I noticed a bunch of pods under him like he was eating them. I could see his mouth moving around, so I know he is somewhat active, just staying in the same 2sq in' area or so.

I see his actual spines moving all the time. I local reefer told me that his sometimes does not move for days at a time, he said this activity is normal.

I think it has grown a bit in the past week. I only noticed two small spines on the sand around his body. Do they shed spines as they grow or is it a normal process like molting perhaps?

 

[Tennyson]

I read from somebody elses post about a month ago that his/hers stayed in one place all the time and has never moved from that spot.

 

[rlm2005]

2 spines isn't a loss. I have 2 urchins, 1 pincushion and 1 tuxedo. They are all over the place. I've never had one just stay to one area. If he is moving his spines I wouldn't worry about it.

 

[3D-Reef]

Some of the urchin's are night time feeders,that always go back to the same spot during the day.So it looks like they don't move.I would check him a while after the lights go out to see if he moves.

 

[Logzor]

Good point. Ill check at night.