yellow "sand like stuff" coming out of my urchin

[LekicINC]

whats this guy doing??!! yellow sand like stuff is coming out of the top, directly above the mouth where aristoltle latern is. This can't be good, its really "pouring out of him"

 

[Amphiprion]

Actually, this is where the anus is--so take a guess as to what it most likely is .

 

[reefD]

its poopie!

 

[donfishy76]

actually, you are right on the first account, basically, it is sand. most urchins eat algae and with that they take in a bit of rock, teeny tiny bits that are ground up, and then shot out the anus on top of itself and spills onto the seafloor, or tank bottom, thus helping with your sandbed

 

[LekicINC]

usually the poopie looks white, but this poopie was yellower so i was concerned.

 

[Amphiprion]

It just varies with what they consume. Sometimes it has a sandy appearance due to CaCO3 from coralline and rock. Others it has a different consistency (I can't believe I am describing this). Color can change as well--when I had a tuxedo urchin, its poop was pink to gray in color.

 

[reefD]

urchins have been known to scrape at the reef and this poop is what makes the sand in the reef. some triggers have also been studied to do this . basically fish and inverts have been proven to take part in the creation of white reef sands.

 

[LekicINC]

i think parrot fish are the big ones that contribute to sand, pretty cool to see it in my tank.