New tank, can I get an urchin

[TaraT]

My first tank just finished cycling and I’m getting a pair of clown fish today. It’s a 45 gallon tall. They had a blue tuxedo urchin at my LFS that I really liked. Would it be ok to add him at the same time as the clowns or does the tank need to be more established? I wouldn’t mind feeding him if needed. I also want to get some snails. I wasn’t sure when I should add them, right away or wait until I have more fish to clean up after. Thanks!

 

[Miller535]

Urchins eat A LOT of algae. If your tank is new and doesn't have much, it would likely starve. Even snails I would wait until you start having algae growing for them to clean up

 

[TaraT]

That was what I was worried about. I didn’t know if I could feed him in the meantime.

 

[Jeff Jarry reef]

I would definitely wait they won't last if no algea.

 

[vetteguy53081]

I'd wait at least 3 months until there is an established food source

 

[JReef85]

Waiting would probably be best but I recently redid my tank and had an urchin. I just fed him nori every 2/3 days until I started to get some algae growing.

 

[Tuffyyyyy]

I'd wait a couple of months if you're able. You should have no problem keeping them alive in a few months. They're an awesome animal and well worth the wait.

 

[Michael Rossi]

Yeah, it all depends on the algea in your tank. I've been slowly adding CUC as opposed to throwing a ton in at first and having them all starve. I picked up a blue tuxedo urchin a couple weeks ago. They are awesome! still having algea (green rocks) so i'm going to pick up more snails this weekend.

 

[BZOFIQ]

Like every else already said, they are algae eating machines and will quickly perish without it.

 

[TaraT]

Thank you all! I will wait for sure.

 

[X-37B]

In my 120 my 2 tuxedo's only eat coralline algae.
They never touch hair algae. Tried nori and they wont touch it either.
I just added a small long spine urchin and it is eating the hair algae.
I waited until the back wall was covered in coralline before I added them