Urchin possibly stuck

Arsenix2001 · Jul 24, 2020

I have a good sized, 2.5" pincushion urchin who always... always has been on the move since day one for the last month. Since yesterday he has been wedged in between my back glass and a tight spot in the LR and still has not moved this morning. How long should I let him be? If I try and move that live rock piece, Im worried half my structure will fall down. If he got in he should be able to get out right? Or can they get wedged?

Cell · Jul 24, 2020

I think it will figure it's way out eventually.

NeonRabbit221B · Jul 24, 2020

I can’t imagine them getting stuck but I wonder if it started losing spines it couldn’t get out. Does it look healthy?

Arsenix2001 · Jul 24, 2020

NeonRabbit221B said:
I can’t imagine them getting stuck but I wonder if it started losing spines it couldn’t get out. Does it look healthy?

yes, has been perfectly healthy up until it went to the spot, does not appear to be losing any spines and its tentacles are still out and moving around

mtfish · Jul 24, 2020

As long as it wedged itself in there and you did not move any rocks, I would think it will "unwedge" itself!

Arsenix2001 · Jul 24, 2020

Holy ****. So word to the wise, guess what, large pincushion urchins can get stuck. I came home and he was still in the same spot and I noticed a large portion of his tentacles seems stretched like he was trying to pull himself out of where he was in the wrong direction. long story short I had to slide my rock work which entailed half of it collapsing down needing to reset all my corals, looking at photos to try to figure out where it went, having an anxiety attack. Water everywhere. Finally got everything back together after an hour and a half close to how it was and braced with reef glue this time. Running fresh carbon and everything seems ok. The little bugger sure enough moved as soon as he was freed. And to top it off I accidentally killed the berghia nudibranch that was near the verm snail when I went to glue it shut. I think it was trying to attack it. Oh man. Oh well, all is well, anyone else ever make a STRONG drink after dealing with these situations!? Thanks little jerk for the fun Friday evening!

thatsruff · Jul 24, 2020

Arsenix2001 said:
Holy ****. So word to the wise, guess what, large pincushion urchins can get stuck. I came home and he was still in the same spot and I noticed a large portion of his tentacles seems stretched like he was trying to pull himself out of where he was in the wrong direction. long story short I had to slide my rock work which entailed half of it collapsing down needing to reset all my corals, looking at photos to try to figure out where it went, having an anxiety attack. Water everywhere. Finally got everything back together after an hour and a half close to how it was and braced with reef glue this time. Running fresh carbon and everything seems ok. The little bugger sure enough moved as soon as he was freed. And to top it off I accidentally killed the berghia nudibranch that was near the verm snail when I went to glue it shut. I think it was trying to attack it. Oh man. Oh well, all is well, anyone else ever make a STRONG drink after dealing with these situations!? Thanks little jerk for the fun Friday evening!

Crazy! Glad you got it out and everything back together.

JRAD · Jul 24, 2020

Glad you got him out of there! You need a shot of vodka or tequila after that!

Arsenix2001 · Jul 24, 2020

JRAD said:
Glad you got him out of there! You need a shot of vodka or tequila after that!

Im taking your advice!

NeonRabbit221B · Jul 24, 2020

Glad he was alright! If it makes you feel better I have panic attacks about my reef about once a week. Keep an eye on him as he is likely stressed and didn't eat much.