tuxedo urchin question

[cosmokramer]

Hey guys recently my girlfriend suprised me with this tuxedo urchin for my little 15 gallon nano reef this morning I noticed that a couple spines broke while he was moving threw tight spots my question is I know there venomous if the spines broke off does it polute my tank because my pulsing xenias wernt pulsing and they turned greyish and not looking so hot there open but not pulsing all of my water parameters are normal any ideas ?

 

[e.muehlbauer]

Shouldn't cause any problem. AFIK, this type of urchin doesn't have poisonous spines. (I think its the long spined urchins that are poisonous.) They are always dropping a few of their little spines. Enjoy it...it should be a great addition to your tank.

 

[F22]

he may have cruised over the xenia and aggrivated them too.

 

[Aquadicted]

lol ya dont think it's a big deal. If they stay like that for a day or two i'd get worried.. But yeah enjoy it! They're awesome. I have one that travels around with the tank thermometer! hahahah

 

[44santababy]

my blue tuxedo is completely harmless and he gets around 120 fairly well...cool critter. I had a Halloween urchin...STAY AWAY...he literally destroyed everything in his path, gave him up for free...

 

[KathyC]

Do keep in mind that urchins eat algae..and that includes coralline algae
If you do not have enogh algae in your tank, you will need to do supplemental feeding.

How new is your tank?

They can also lose their spines due to poor water quality.