Blue Tuxedo Urchin Owners - Question

KMP · 05-17-2006, 06:57 PM

I bought a blue tuxedo urchin after reading many reef safe / aquascape safe reviews. I just saw something today saying they may "plow through polyps or corals"

Anybody have a problem with this?

Also, not long after being in the tank I found the body of a blue leg hermit crab [not in shell or shell around the corpse] right where I had put the urchin down. Later, the urchin was in another spot and a blue leg hermit got to close. The urchin latched on to him. I'm not sure if he was going to eat him or trying to stick him on his back. Didn't wait to see either. They are supposed to be herbivores, however, may occassionally eat meaty food.

Any thoughts or similar behaviors?

And one last question, knowing they like to stick things to themselves, do you think they would pick up a polyp frag and toss that on their back? I guess it's possible. Just didnt' think about it until now.

Thanks.

Kenny

Dragon Wrasse · 05-17-2006, 07:19 PM

Sorry I can't help you with this question....I researched them a while back and decided not to take the chance in my tank...good luck.

KeyserSoze · 05-17-2006, 07:55 PM

Most urchins are considered to be the bulldozers of the reef tank. I have one that is well mannered by most standards. I have a frogspawn that it loves to up-end whenever it's in the area. Fortunately it will stay in the same area of the tank for months at a time so if I see a problem I just move the urchin. Mine isn't a tuxedo but a friend has one and righting rocks is a daily chore. No exaggeration. One more thing to consider. They are extremely thorough at eating coralline algae. I have a couple of pictures I'll post to show you.

KeyserSoze · 05-17-2006, 07:57 PM

This is what it looked like before the urchin decided this was a good place for lunch

This was done on and off over the course of a few weeks. It's just something to consider.

Dragon Wrasse · 05-17-2006, 08:29 PM

Thanks for the good info KeyserSoze.....I like my purple rocks.

KeyserSoze · 05-17-2006, 10:07 PM

I just thought everyone should know. Most people get them for algae control and looks but few know how destructive they can be. That said... I really enjoy mine. Peaceful diversity is what I strive for. Thanks Dragon Wrasse.

Stevenmi · 05-17-2006, 10:12 PM

I heave heard that after eating ...they poop...and in the poop contains coralline algae spores, and this helps spread it about the tank.

Steve

KMP · 05-17-2006, 10:20 PM

good info. thanks guys. the poop thing makes sense too. i guess i'll have to wait this out and see what will happen. right now he is hanging by a little cave in the rocks [last night] and has ventured just outside the cave today. if he stays in this area there won't be any problems.

Woodstock · 05-17-2006, 10:23 PM

I have a long spined urchin. Yes it eats coralline but actually spreads more spores than does damage so its cool. It has never bulldozed any rocks *knock on wood*

KeyserSoze · 05-17-2006, 11:08 PM

While it is a popular misconception, urchins do not spread coralline spores according to Anthony Calfo. I'm posting a link to an FAQ from WetWebMedia. It's titled Trouble with Tribbles.

http://www.wetwebmedia.com/wormfaqs.htm

KMP · 05-18-2006, 01:01 AM

don't ruin the moment keysersoze :-)

05-17-2006, 06:57 PM	#1 (permalink)
KMP Torch coral Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Woodland, CA Posts: 585 View Gallery Karma Komment	Blue Tuxedo Urchin Owners - Question I bought a blue tuxedo urchin after reading many reef safe / aquascape safe reviews. I just saw something today saying they may "plow through polyps or corals" Anybody have a problem with this? Also, not long after being in the tank I found the body of a blue leg hermit crab [not in shell or shell around the corpse] right where I had put the urchin down. Later, the urchin was in another spot and a blue leg hermit got to close. The urchin latched on to him. I'm not sure if he was going to eat him or trying to stick him on his back. Didn't wait to see either. They are supposed to be herbivores, however, may occassionally eat meaty food. Any thoughts or similar behaviors? And one last question, knowing they like to stick things to themselves, do you think they would pick up a polyp frag and toss that on their back? I guess it's possible. Just didnt' think about it until now. Thanks. Kenny

05-17-2006, 07:19 PM	#2 (permalink)
Dragon Wrasse Harlequin Tuskfish Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Southern California Posts: 991 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: Blue Tuxedo Urchin Owners - Question Sorry I can't help you with this question....I researched them a while back and decided not to take the chance in my tank...good luck. __________________ *Member "Crabs Are Evil" Society* "A wise man learns more from a foolish question, then a fool learns from a wise answer" - Bruce Lee _____________________________ 75 gal SeaClear II Reef Tank (softy tank) - Coralife 125 Super Skimmer - Little Giant 2-MDQX-SC - Angstrom 2537 UV 15W - HOB Refugium - Eheim Pro 2228 - Red Sea Wave Maker w/Maxi-Jet 600 (X4) - 100 lbs Live Sand (DSB) - 100 lbs Live Rock - 260W PC lighting - 470nm lunar lights (X15) - AquaController II Custom 75 gal Starphire glass tank (SPS/LPS tank) - Custom 24 gal Refugium - Tuzne Wave box - JBJ Chiller - 390W PC lighting - 175W MH (X2) - Knop Cal. Reactor - AquaController 3 Pro - Aqua C Skimmer - Phosban Reactor - 18W Turbo-twist UV sterilizer - Sump - Sony Computer 5 gal Nano Hospital Tank - Eheim 2213 - Red Sea Prizm Skimmer - Live sand - Live Rock - Built in Refugium - 36W PC lighting

05-17-2006, 07:55 PM	#3 (permalink)
KeyserSoze Midas Blenny Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Kansas Posts: 111 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: Blue Tuxedo Urchin Owners - Question Most urchins are considered to be the bulldozers of the reef tank. I have one that is well mannered by most standards. I have a frogspawn that it loves to up-end whenever it's in the area. Fortunately it will stay in the same area of the tank for months at a time so if I see a problem I just move the urchin. Mine isn't a tuxedo but a friend has one and righting rocks is a daily chore. No exaggeration. One more thing to consider. They are extremely thorough at eating coralline algae. I have a couple of pictures I'll post to show you.

05-17-2006, 07:57 PM	#4 (permalink)
KeyserSoze Midas Blenny Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Kansas Posts: 111 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: Blue Tuxedo Urchin Owners - Question This is what it looked like before the urchin decided this was a good place for lunch This was done on and off over the course of a few weeks. It's just something to consider.

05-17-2006, 08:29 PM	#5 (permalink)
Dragon Wrasse Harlequin Tuskfish Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Southern California Posts: 991 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: Blue Tuxedo Urchin Owners - Question Thanks for the good info KeyserSoze.....I like my purple rocks. __________________ *Member "Crabs Are Evil" Society* "A wise man learns more from a foolish question, then a fool learns from a wise answer" - Bruce Lee _____________________________ 75 gal SeaClear II Reef Tank (softy tank) - Coralife 125 Super Skimmer - Little Giant 2-MDQX-SC - Angstrom 2537 UV 15W - HOB Refugium - Eheim Pro 2228 - Red Sea Wave Maker w/Maxi-Jet 600 (X4) - 100 lbs Live Sand (DSB) - 100 lbs Live Rock - 260W PC lighting - 470nm lunar lights (X15) - AquaController II Custom 75 gal Starphire glass tank (SPS/LPS tank) - Custom 24 gal Refugium - Tuzne Wave box - JBJ Chiller - 390W PC lighting - 175W MH (X2) - Knop Cal. Reactor - AquaController 3 Pro - Aqua C Skimmer - Phosban Reactor - 18W Turbo-twist UV sterilizer - Sump - Sony Computer 5 gal Nano Hospital Tank - Eheim 2213 - Red Sea Prizm Skimmer - Live sand - Live Rock - Built in Refugium - 36W PC lighting

05-17-2006, 10:07 PM	#6 (permalink)
KeyserSoze Midas Blenny Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Kansas Posts: 111 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: Blue Tuxedo Urchin Owners - Question I just thought everyone should know. Most people get them for algae control and looks but few know how destructive they can be. That said... I really enjoy mine. Peaceful diversity is what I strive for. Thanks Dragon Wrasse.

05-17-2006, 10:12 PM	#7 (permalink)
Stevenmi Serpent Star Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Westland Michigan Posts: 218 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: Blue Tuxedo Urchin Owners - Question I heave heard that after eating ...they poop...and in the poop contains coralline algae spores, and this helps spread it about the tank. Steve __________________ Carpe Diem!

05-17-2006, 10:20 PM	#8 (permalink)
KMP Torch coral Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Woodland, CA Posts: 585 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: Blue Tuxedo Urchin Owners - Question good info. thanks guys. the poop thing makes sense too. i guess i'll have to wait this out and see what will happen. right now he is hanging by a little cave in the rocks [last night] and has ventured just outside the cave today. if he stays in this area there won't be any problems.

05-17-2006, 10:23 PM	#9 (permalink)
Woodstock The Wand Geek was here. ;) Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: North Carolina Posts: 24,157 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: Blue Tuxedo Urchin Owners - Question I have a long spined urchin. Yes it eats coralline but actually spreads more spores than does damage so its cool. It has never bulldozed any rocks knock on wood __________________ ~Doni Marie~ *GOT ICH???* *My Victorious Battle with ICH* 120 Reef Chronicle ~ *Breeding Picasso Clownfish~* *Massive 300 gal growout~* *My Anemone & Picasso Tank ~* *Picasso & Snowcasso for sale~* "Energy and persistence conquer all things." Benjamin Franklin __________________________________________________ ______________________________________________

05-17-2006, 11:08 PM	#10 (permalink)
KeyserSoze Midas Blenny Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Kansas Posts: 111 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: Blue Tuxedo Urchin Owners - Question While it is a popular misconception, urchins do not spread coralline spores according to Anthony Calfo. I'm posting a link to an FAQ from WetWebMedia. It's titled Trouble with Tribbles. http://www.wetwebmedia.com/wormfaqs.htm

05-18-2006, 01:01 AM	#11 (permalink)
KMP Torch coral Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Woodland, CA Posts: 585 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: Blue Tuxedo Urchin Owners - Question don't ruin the moment keysersoze :-)

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