Wound on my urchin

[Lyvric]

Hey,

My urchin has missing spikes and seems to have sores. Do hermit crabs pull spikes out? My clown and PJ cardinal leave it alone. The rest of it looks healthy and hasn't changed how active it is. Any thoughts on what I should do?

Thanks :fish1:

 

[AlSimmons]

Starvation? How long have you had it? How long has the tank been set up? What else do you have in there?

 

[Lyvric]

Had the tank for 4 years, the urchin for 2 week. Should I get some sheet food for it? Veggie flakes?

 

[AlSimmons]

Instead of the veggie flakes, maybe a veggie clip with some nori? Stick it to the glass overnight and then just remove it the next morning.. Repeat if needed. That nori left alone can foul up your water though, so make sure something is eating it. If you got the time at night when you have to p!$$, shine a light in the tank. HOPEFULLY that Urchin is eating. GL.

The link below might help.

http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/2003-11/rs/index.php

 

[Lyvric]

The urchin chowed down and is already starting to look less shrunken. I'm glad it's not shy at all. Thanks for the advice! I'll keep a close eye to see if his spikes grow back. With the nori, what the urchin didn't eat the hermit crabs made swift work of.

 

[Rakie]

Cool! They apparently will shed their spines if nitrates are too high, they're no3 sensitive.