Black rock sea urchin

[lxb021]

I recently purchased a black rock sea urchin about a little over a week over. When I first added him to the tank he was very active and now he has not moved from behind a rock for days. I safely changed his location so I can keep a better eye on him. I have noticed little pieces of spines falling off. I’m unsure if he is dead or not I Am a new aquarium owner.

 

[Ricksreeefs]

He's not dead yet how old is the tank and what are the parameters?

 

[lxb021]

He's not dead yet how old is the tank and what are the parameters?

The tank has been up and running for about 3.5/ 4 months. All of the water levels are within range the alkalinity was slightly higher but still within the ok range. We are dosing the tank with alkalinity and calcium for the corals. I just checked them all this morning. We are also keeping up with the 10% water change weekly.

 

[Ricksreeefs]

Do you have a good bit of algae in the tank and when you say within range do you have the numbers?

 

[lxb021]

Temperature 79.3 nitrate 0 nitrite 0 cl2 0 alkalinity 40 carbonate 40 pH 7.6 specific gravity 1.026

 

[lxb021]

Do you have a good bit of algae in the tank and when you say within range do you have the numbers?

And there is plenty of algae

 

[Ricksreeefs]

Huh well, I'm not sure then ill see if someone might.

 

[Reefing_addiction]

How long have you had him? Edit just saw you said over a week ago.
What test kit are you using?
What type of algae do you have?
Urchins are finicky. And some like to eat corals

 

[Reefing_addiction]

Urchins tend to need well established tanks.
Lose of spines usually mean they are on their way out from my understanding

 

[ClownSchool]

The tank has been up and running for about 3.5/ 4 months. All of the water levels are within range the alkalinity was slightly higher but still within the ok range. We are dosing the tank with alkalinity and calcium for the corals. I just checked them all this morning. We are also keeping up with the 10% water change weekly.

For a newly established tank, I HIGHLY recommend Chemi-Pure Blue filter packs; especially for nano/pico-sized tanks.
I have finicky invertebrates, and it has been a game-changer.

 

[TuxUrchin07]

Tuxedo urchins are awesome. (I am totally not bias)

 

[Reefing_addiction]

Tuxedo urchins are awesome. (I am totally not bias)

I want one of those

 

[TuxUrchin07]

I want one of those

They are very funny and eat lots of algae but they pick up loose frags and inverts lol

 

[Reefing_addiction]

They are very funny and eat lots of algae but they pick up loose frags and inverts lol

I think that’s one that’s considered reef safe as well?

Don’t need to coral munchers

 

[ClownSchool]

Temperature 79.3 nitrate 0 nitrite 0 cl2 0 alkalinity 40 carbonate 40 pH 7.6 specific gravity 1.026

Your pH seems low. I try keeping mine at about 8 to 8.2.
I know some keep theirs even higher.

 

[TuxUrchin07]

I think that’s one that’s considered reef safe as well?

Don’t need to coral munchers

They don't seem to bother the corals either. Even thought mine was rubbing against my acan it was fine. I think the spikes are soft so that why they try to hide themselves with debris

 

[Ricksreeefs]

When I first got my 25 (and knew nothing about reefing) I went to one of my local places and asked them what I should get for a brand new tank. They were like well, a tux urchin is a great cleaner. The poor little guy didn't have enough food and died. It really sucks when a store gives you bad information. I also had a Green spotted puffer (when I was still doing fresh and brackish) that I loved so dearly that I got from them and he developed ich within a week. Me thinking I could cure him tried ichx not realizing that it had copper in it. I called them and they said that they thought it would be just fine. He also passed away, and I was so broken up by it. Never going back there ever again. Sorry I know it doesn’t have much to do with what we're talking about.