Long spine sea urchin

Discussion in 'Inverts' started by toolmanbmw, Nov 13, 2011.

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  1. toolmanbmw

    toolmanbmw Plankton

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    Hi all

    I have got a long spine sea urchin that has been in my tank for 2 weeks. I notice the other day that he is pooping alot and seems to be turning a couple of the live rocks white. All my rocks were purple before... Should I be concern with this? Would the algae grow back faster than this guy can eat? Thanks.
     
    toolmanbmw, Nov 13, 2011
    toolmanbmw, Nov 13, 2011
    #1

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  2. bwalker9801

    bwalker9801 Zoanthid

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    They can mow down some coraline, how big is your tank? If your params are good and the tank is big enough I doubt it will eat it faster than it is produced. Mine never has and he's grown quite large.
     
    bwalker9801, Nov 13, 2011
    bwalker9801, Nov 13, 2011
    #2
  3. toolmanbmw

    toolmanbmw Plankton

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    Tank is a 75 gallon with 35 gallon sump. He is pretty big.... I got him off someone. I just want to make sure my tank won't be hurt by losing some Coraline algae.
     
    toolmanbmw, Nov 13, 2011
    toolmanbmw, Nov 13, 2011
    #3
  4. bwalker9801

    bwalker9801 Zoanthid

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    It won't hurt your tank, It just won't have as much coraline in it, which is a good thing if you hate cleaning your glass as much as I do.
     
    bwalker9801, Nov 13, 2011
    bwalker9801, Nov 13, 2011
    #4
  5. NanaReefer

    NanaReefer Fu Manchu Lion Fish

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    Hate to say it but your urchin will totally clean your rock of coraline before it'll go for it on the glass. I got rid of min for just that reason.
     
    NanaReefer, Nov 13, 2011
    NanaReefer, Nov 13, 2011
    #5
  6. bwalker9801

    bwalker9801 Zoanthid

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    I guess it depends, mine actually stays on the glass more than the liverock.
     
    bwalker9801, Nov 13, 2011
    bwalker9801, Nov 13, 2011
    #6

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  7. toolmanbmw

    toolmanbmw Plankton

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    My back glass is full of algae and he rarely goes on it... Lol. I guess the stuff on the rocks taste better!
     
    toolmanbmw, Nov 13, 2011
    toolmanbmw, Nov 13, 2011
    #7
  8. Renee@LionfishLair

    Renee@LionfishLair 3reef Sponsor

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    A lot of times, when they chew off the coralline, they leave a surface that is perfect for nuisance algae to hang onto.
     
    Renee@LionfishLair, Nov 13, 2011
    Renee@LionfishLair, Nov 13, 2011
    #8
  9. toolmanbmw

    toolmanbmw Plankton

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    Grrr. That's not good at all! Might have to find a new home for this guy...
     
    toolmanbmw, Nov 13, 2011
    toolmanbmw, Nov 13, 2011
    #9
  10. NanaReefer

    NanaReefer Fu Manchu Lion Fish

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    Yeah good idea. It also ate the beautiful bunch of red macro algae I had growing in my tank :(
     
    NanaReefer, Nov 13, 2011
    NanaReefer, Nov 13, 2011
    #10
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