Urchin

snapshot11 · May 11, 2013

Ok so I Have a 24 gallon Aquapod... Can I put a very small urchin in my tank? Are they reef safe? I know there are many kinds so which would be best?

Im doing some research now but thought I'd throw it out there since it popped into my head. I have a feeling it's one of those things that seems cool but probably isn't possible for me.

Squishie89 · May 11, 2013

I will say yes, but with a slight catch: you need to make sure he gets enough to eat. It is easy for the retail websites to say "Supplement with dried seaweed" but sometimes, like in my case, the urchin wont eat seaweed except on rare occasions. They lloovvee coraline algae though. So if you decide to get one, be patient and wait till you have an established tank covered in coraline. Stay away from the long spines as they get pretty massive. Some people have trouble with urchins being reef safe because the urchins try and eat the algae/coraline that is growing in/around corals and end up hurting/eating the corals. Side note: my urchin was dying, and I found out he was starving. I got lucky and my urchin likes frozen meaty foods (he is a blue tuxedo) so I was able to spot feed him and bring him back. If you want more info on this feel free to ask and I will write it up.

jonny · May 11, 2013

Yea my long spine isn't a super fan of coralline, but does eat it, and I have seen him accidentally munch on some corals..AND he doesn't eat algae sheets. Plus not only do they get huge but they hurt like a **** when you get careless lol

Tuxedo urchin would probably be good...urchins are incredible rock cleaners.