Sea urchin help

[helwrj28]

I've had a Halloween urchin in my display for about 2 months, and as a whole so far so good up until now (a few scares with initial acclimation and spawning, occasionally upside down)... but what concerns me now is the anus is protruded, and it has dropped a few spines. What does this mean, and should I be concerned?

 

[The_Paradox]

When did you test the water last and what were results specifically nitrate?

 

[helwrj28]

When did you test the water last and what were results specifically nitrate?

Just tested and nitrates are about 20 ppm which isn't that unusual for my tank

 

[helwrj28]

It's now on the glass but not moving much and tube feet are mostly retracted.. has a protruding mouth as well.

My other pincushion urchin is lively and not showing any signs like the Halloween in question

 

[helwrj28]

Can anyone weigh in? Any recommendations?

 

[Reefering1]

I just can't ask for pics of the inflamed anus.., I won't

 

[ISpeakForTheSeas]

The protrusions are odd; between those and the dropping spines, I'd guess it's dying, but I'm not sure from what.

Starvation is my usual suspect with urchins, but I wouldn't expect protrusions to accompany that.

 

[helwrj28]

Here's a pic, see how it's bulged at the center

 

[helwrj28]

The protrusions are odd; between those and the dropping spines, I'd guess it's dying, but I'm not sure from what.

Starvation is my usual suspect with urchins, but I wouldn't expect protrusions to accompany that.

What would cause the protrusions?

And there's plenty to eat, lots of GHA that it's regularly been mowing down up until now

 

[helwrj28]

It's lost a fair amount of spines but it's still moving around and acting appropriately to stimuli.. but not eating/grazing despite trying some nori..

What would be the best course of action now?
Should I do a water change or just see if it turns around?
Pull it out of the tank and euthanize?

Any other ideas? I'm open to suggestions and would like to keep the urchin if possible!

 

[ISpeakForTheSeas]

What would cause the protrusions?

Unfortunately, I'm not sure.

It's lost a fair amount of spines but it's still moving around and acting appropriately to stimuli.. but not eating/grazing despite trying some nori..

What would be the best course of action now?
Should I do a water change or just see if it turns around?
Pull it out of the tank and euthanize?

Any other ideas? I'm open to suggestions and would like to keep the urchin if possible!

I'm honestly not sure here either - sorry.

Maybe someone will know what to do here to help. @Jay Hemdal - I know it's not a fish, but any thoughts?

 

[Jay Hemdal Verified Community Expert]

Dropping spines is of course a sign of stress in urchins. I’m not sure about the swelling - I’ve seen urchins do that with no apparent issues.
I would do a water change, as that is really the only variable you can manage.

 

[helwrj28]

Dropping spines is of course a sign of stress in urchins. I’m not sure about the swelling - I’ve seen urchins do that with no apparent issues.
I would do a water change, as that is really the only variable you can manage.

Thank you for the response! What % would you recommend.. as I don't want to do too large that might stress it even more so..

Anything you'd recommend food wise or should I not bother? There's plenty of GHA in the tank..

Checking the urchin now.. it hasn't moved much since this morning.. not seeing many new spines that have dropped though!

 

[Jay Hemdal Verified Community Expert]

Thank you for the response! What % would you recommend.. as I don't want to do too large that might stress it even more so..

Anything you'd recommend food wise or should I not bother? There's plenty of GHA in the tank..

Checking the urchin now.. it hasn't moved much since this morning.. not seeing many new spines that have dropped though!

If you match the salinity exactly between the tank and the new water, changing a third would be fine.
One issue - if you stop seeing spine movement, the urchin is possibly dead and needs to be removed so that it doesn’t foul the water.

 

[helwrj28]

Any concerns with feeding garlic extract algae sheets?

 

[ISpeakForTheSeas]

Any concerns with feeding garlic extract algae sheets?

There shouldn't be, no.

 

[Uncle99]

I've had a Halloween urchin in my display for about 2 months, and as a whole so far so good up until now (a few scares with initial acclimation and spawning, occasionally upside down)... but what concerns me now is the anus is protruded, and it has dropped a few spines. What does this mean, and should I be concerned?

Hard to sustain this creature long term, overtime, they usually starve. They eat just too much too fast.

 

[helwrj28]

Hard to sustain this creature long term, overtime, they usually starve. They eat just too much too fast.

Luckily I have plenty of GHA in the tank for it to eat right now and will consider supplementing as the tank cleans up, thanks!

 

[helwrj28]

At this point it's lost almost all it's spines and it's not moving much.. am I just delaying the inevitable or can it recover?

 

[bkwonnn]

I had the same when i added more than 1 urchin. I would also say underfed, they can be picky eaters