My poor urchin.

Gigi197 · Jul 16, 2024

Anyone know what’s going on with my urchin? He all of a sudden looks burned?

Here are my most recent parameters:
90 Gallon Saltwater using RODI water
Calcium 400ppm
PH 7.8 Added Proper yesterday will test again today
Alkalinity 10dkh
Ammonia, Nitrite and Nitrate were 0 last tested yesterday.

Just started a round of Artemis and Herbatana with the addition of new fish but no other additives except Prime when I change the water weekly.
Picked him up and it felt like he was still moving but I’m not sure.

RaymondL · Jul 16, 2024

Is there a good source of algae/food for the lil guy? If you don't have a good food source for them they can starve - I have one too, and I've been feeding him black nori (dry seaweed) sheets - get them from the LFS. I'd say start with that right away...break of a piece and put it under him and hopefully he'll respond and consume the nori and gain some energy to be well again.

FUNGI · Jul 16, 2024

How old? Tank looks like theres nothing for it to eat

Gigi197 · Jul 16, 2024

FUNGI said:
How old? Tank looks like theres nothing for it to eat

Oh no it’s over 2 years old. And I do keep it clean but there is a lot of live rock and detritus he could eat.

Gigi197 · Jul 16, 2024

RaymondL said:
Is there a good source of algae/food for the lil guy? If you don't have a good food source for them they can starve - I have one too, and I've been feeding him black nori (dry seaweed) sheets - get them from the LFS. I'd say start with that right away...break of a piece and put it under him and hopefully he'll respond and consume the nori and gain some energy to be well again.

Yeah he’s always, until today been attached to the wall or filters and there is plenty of live rock with algae. I ran out of the Nori sheets but have been throwing some algae pellets in there to supplement.

exnisstech · Jul 16, 2024

Looks like mine did before passing. I had two and when one died the other carried it's empty shell around the tank. Not sure why it died as there was plenty of food.

FUNGI · Jul 16, 2024

From what I know (and someone can pipe in here) but typical life span in captivity for Tuxedo's is 2~3 years

stewy14 · Jul 16, 2024

maybe the nitrates being at 0? what's your salinity?
and nice titanic layout! really digging that!
gotta add in the sub now XD

stewy14 · Jul 16, 2024

FUNGI said:
From what I know (and someone can pipe in here) but typical life span in captivity for Tuxedo's is 2~3 years

think the average for people is in the range of 2 months-2 years

RaymondL · Jul 16, 2024

Gigi197 said:
Yeah he’s always, until today been attached to the wall or filters and there is plenty of live rock with algae. I ran out of the Nori sheets but have been throwing some algae pellets in there to supplement.

Ok, I would pick him up and place him directly on the food source. As others have said Urchin lifespan is pretty short unfortunately

, but the reality is it's different for each scenario. Can't really rely on a number just because it's stated to be 2-3 years. Well, that's the sad part - short lifespans for urchins I think is the consensus...that bites because I love these guys.