Pencil Urchin ate my coral

[Shibaken3]

Pencil urchin ate my blasto. Urchin was a nice worker but he's leaving my tank now
Before and after picture of blasto.
I hope the blasto can recover.

 

[blaxsun]

Pencil urchins can sometimes do that.

 

[ISpeakForTheSeas]

Out of curiosity, do you know what species of pencil urchin you have (and/or any pics of it)?

I've heard of some pencil urchins being reef safe while others seem to eat just about everything, so I'm wondering if it's a species specific thing with them.

 

[Shibaken3]

no idea but heres a picture

 

[Rick's Reviews]

Pencil urchin ate my blasto. Urchin was a nice worker but he's leaving my tank now
Before and after picture of blasto.
I hope the blasto can recover.

Blasto looks good from your pics, pencil urchin has done great removing algae

 

[ISpeakForTheSeas]

no idea but heres a picture

Looks to be Eucidaris tribuloides:

"its search for food, which can include sponges, corals, bivalves, gastropods, bryozoans, along with detritus and some algae."*

"It feeds primarily on algae and coral but they can feed on small invertebrates as well. "**

*Source:

Section: Urchins: Group: Common Urchins: Species: Eucidaris tribuloides (Mine Urchin, Slate Urchin, Club Urchin, Pencil Urchin)

Marine Aquarium Library: Common Urchins, Order: Cidaroida - Family Cidaridae, Eucidaris tribuloides

www.saltcorner.com

**Source:

Pencil Urchin -

E-1621 PENCIL URCHIN, Eucidaris tribuloides This sluggish, nocturnal sea urchin has thick, wooden like spines. It feeds primarily on algae and coral but they can feed on small invertebrates as well. They are a very hardy species and can range from a light brown to a reddish brown. HABITAT They...

gulfspecimen.org