Urchin Spawning Video and reproduction question

[mattnbecs]

I posted the post below in the "New to the hobby" section, but I did not get much of replay, so I was hoping that I would get more feedback in this section.

I caught my long spine sea urchin spawing a few nights ago. It moved to the aquarium surface and released sperm

Attached are some pics and videos.

Does anyone know about urchin reprduction? Are there hermaphrodite, or do you need a male and a female for reproduction?

PIX
http://s299.photobucket.com/albums/...nt=DSCN7084.jpg
http://s299.photobucket.com/albums/...nt=DSCN7086.jpg

VIDEOs
http://s299.photobucket.com/albums/...inSpawning2.flv
http://s299.photobucket.com/albums/...inSpawning1.flv

 

[TwoShoesVans]

Cant get the video to load but i know exactly what you were talking about.

Every time we did a water change on our 110 our urchin would move to the top of the tank and release its sperm as we refilled the system. I assumed it was tide related since it was when the water level fell and returned.

One of the coolest little buggers ive ever owned, until our pencil urchin pinned him in the corner and ate through its top shell.

Would appreciate some information on their breeding habits and try my hand at it.

 

[mattnbecs]

I added the video links again. Hopefully they will work this time

http://s299.photobucket.com/albums/mm283/mattnbecs/?action=view&current=SeaUrchinSpawning1.flv

http://s299.photobucket.com/albums/mm283/mattnbecs/?action=view&current=SeaUrchinSpawning2.flv

 

[mattnbecs]

TwoShoesVans, I have done some web serfing, and have found some info, if you are interested. The second has a lot of info....

http://www.thecephalopodpage.org/MarineInvertebrateZoology/Diademaantillarum.html

http://www.nwrc.usgs.gov/wdb/pub/species_profiles/82_11-077.pdf

 

[TwoShoesVans]

Sorry i couldn't get back to you sooner, school is taking all my time.

That seems really interesting, but has anyone tried breeding urchins in their tank?

the mass sperm egg release makes me a little worried for water quality

 

[mattnbecs]

no problem, I am not able to get on the forum every day either.

From what I have read, the long spine urchins have been bread in captivity. Just need to be lucky enough to have a male and female.

As far as water quality, I would agree with you. I have added carbon to try and keep the water clean. So far I have not seen advert effects.