Just recieved him from flying fish on friday the 7th at about 10:30am. Acclamated him as suggested. Placed him in the tank and he barely moved (about an inch or two) in the first couple of hours. He hasn't moved since. It seems some of his tentecles are out and moving about, but no movement. Can anyone give me some insight on this. Do you think he is dying? What are some signs of him dying. If so I will contact flying fish for replacement. Thanks, Doug.
Help with blue tuxedo urchin
- Thread starter smokin reefer
- Start date
Smokin,
I don't have any experience w/ that variety of urchin, but mine move quite a bit and their tentacles are always visible and moving. That is their primary mode of travel, since the tentacles have small "suction cups" on the end. Did you place him on the substrate or in the liverock? He may not move well on the substrate if it is sand.
E
I don't have any experience w/ that variety of urchin, but mine move quite a bit and their tentacles are always visible and moving. That is their primary mode of travel, since the tentacles have small "suction cups" on the end. Did you place him on the substrate or in the liverock? He may not move well on the substrate if it is sand.
E
When I first put mine in, he didn't move much - he moved into an overhang and stayed in the shade. The next day or two, he started travelling all over the tank.
Did yours come carrying anything? Mine had a couple weird shells on him and he carried those into the container I use to acclimate and then into the tank with him. When he started moving around the tank, he dropped them and picked up a new disguise -algae
. They say that when they stop carrying things, they're in trouble, but since yours is brand new, give him time. You did acclimate him gently, right?
Did yours come carrying anything? Mine had a couple weird shells on him and he carried those into the container I use to acclimate and then into the tank with him. When he started moving around the tank, he dropped them and picked up a new disguise -algae
- Location
- Virginia
Look for these signs that it's not doing well: limp legs and spines that are dropping off, or flattened to the body. If these signs are present, it's not doing too well, and once the spines start falling off, you'll more than likely lose it (I think they fall off when the urchin starts dying off from the inside out).
He's probably just fine, they are very tough. I carry mine around the house from tank to tank on a regular basis.
They will have some long wavey hairs when introduced, and can spent a LOT of time on a good piece of rock (gotta love that coraline) ! Don't want these guys unless you have LOTS of rock in various tanks or whatever for them to munch.
Great fun in what they can wear, best yet in one day was a cleaner shrimp shed, and the suction cup from the ground probe
They will have some long wavey hairs when introduced, and can spent a LOT of time on a good piece of rock (gotta love that coraline) ! Don't want these guys unless you have LOTS of rock in various tanks or whatever for them to munch.
Great fun in what they can wear, best yet in one day was a cleaner shrimp shed, and the suction cup from the ground probe
- Location
- Virginia
Oh yeah, if you can do this without disturbing it too much, touch it's mouth and see if it is hard or if it is squishy. If it's squishy, it's insides are already deteriorating, and it's dead. Or, just flip it on it's back and see if it flips itself over.
It is probably okay just shocked from the shipping, if he doesn't start moving around and collecting shells and things of that sort than I would start to worry. If he starts to lose his spines than you have most likely lost him. Blue tux are one of my favorite urchins on the fact that they are just "cool" looking.
P.S. On urchins and sea stars they are called "tube feet" and instead of actually have suction cups on the end they actually have a plate that secretes a sticky chemical when they want to hold on and another when they want to let go.
P.S. On urchins and sea stars they are called "tube feet" and instead of actually have suction cups on the end they actually have a plate that secretes a sticky chemical when they want to hold on and another when they want to let go.
Update: The blue urchin is dead.
Seen my peppermint shrimp eating from the top of the urchin, and he apeared to be hollow. Removed the tank lid, got him out, and he indeep was hollow. Bummer. Got him from flying fish, he is under warrenty, but still hated to see him go. Flying fish states they will replace him, but not cover the shipping or box cost. (37.00) At this point I think I will ask for a cash refund, and try to get one from Jason at Premium Aqautics. His business is much closer and does not cost as much to ship.
Thanks for all the reply's to this situation. Wish it had been a better outcome.
Thanks for all the reply's to this situation. Wish it had been a better outcome.
- Location
- Virginia
They don't do refunds, just keep it on hold until next time you want to order from them and have them include it in your order then. I have numerous fish and inverts with a friend of mine that still need to be claimed from the past year or so, just waiting until I actually have the space for the replacements.
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