Sea urchin lost all spikes
- Thread starter Erink
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Yeah, when they drop their spikes like that, it's almost always a sign they're about to die. I'm sorry about that- salinity swings can definitely kill them. I would keep an eye on him- it's possible (albeit extremely unlikely) he recovers, but more than likely, you'll have to pull him once he dies. My condolences.
Miller535
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Yeah, he is probably not going to make it. I read before that zoos use them as a "indicator animal". Because they will often show signs of stress long before a lot of other livestock. If you see almost any of it's spines laying around, it's time to pop out all the test kits.
Yeah, I use him as an indicator. I've told people who have aquariums and they say they've never heard of it... I think they think I'm a bit kooky
On am awesome note... he's crawling all around the rock. Acting normal except for the loss of spines... maybe he'll make it? I'll keep ya posted
On am awesome note... he's crawling all around the rock. Acting normal except for the loss of spines... maybe he'll make it? I'll keep ya posted
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Once they've dropped them all I haven't had any come back. I've had them drop some and stop in some cases, but have all died once all spines were gone. Wish I had better news
JohnGP
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That is true, we used them as sort of a "Canary in the coal mine" type deal. If they start dropping spines something is wrong.
OP; if he lost all his spines he's probably a gonner. We never had one recover.
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I haven't heard of facilities doing this. At least not the one I worked at or with people we spoke to from others. Everything gets tested at least weekly, often daily.
JohnGP
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OP; Well I'll be darned, it's a miracle! ha ha. Glad to see your urchin defied the odds!
We did it though we did test often as well. It's just an easy indicator of possible trouble and the public enjoys seeing urchins as well.
We did it though we did test often as well. It's just an easy indicator of possible trouble and the public enjoys seeing urchins as well.
jeffchapok
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Wow, none of mine have ever pulled through!
Alas, he's passed he hing information about a week and started growing spines back. Then he stopped eating and perished... I don't think I'll get an anemone again...
I did keep it to show the kids at my daycare though
I did keep it to show the kids at my daycare though
Texas Rick
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Same here! Once they start dropping spines i know I will be fishing a ping pong ball off the bottom soon.
TheShrimpNibbler
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That really stinks. I had the same thing happen to my urchin too. He lost all of his spines and started falling off the wall. He died a few days later. My parameters were all on point and he had plenty of food, so I wonder if mine just got old.
