urchin losing spines

[timrandlerv10]

i have black long spiney urchin...he seems pretty happy--my coralline is disappearing just about as fast as we can regrow it, so it seems like there is still plenty of food. the only other things in the 75 w/55 sump (skimmer, lots of LR, dsb) is more LR, gsm pair, 2 peppermint shrimp, some zoos, some euphylia.

he's scattering spines everywhere! how often is he supposed to lose them? he doesnt 'look' like he has a lower spine density, and it isnt obvious that many are broken, so what gives? is this normal replacement?

thanks!

tim

 

[jhildebrand]

Ours went through a two week period where he lost a whole bunch - they were everywhere! They all grew back fine and he's doing well. This was when we first got it. I think he just clipped a lot off on the live rock. When they came back they were just shorter. It's fine though. Hopefully that's it...

 

[SirToppemHat]

Mine died shortly after he losed spines. I've read this is a bad sign of health.

 

[romunov]

Yes, losing spines is a sign of stress.

 

[billie6227]

Losing spines like that is a sign of poor water quality, stress or not enough food.

 

[jhildebrand]

how new is it? if an urchin is not acclimated properly they can lose spines through the stress of being introduced to the tank. inverts are very sensitive to the change.