Suggestions for removing an Urchin

[willmsbrg]

I have this urchin that was initially a hitchhiker on florida cultured rock. It was very tiny several months ago. Now it has 1 inch spines. and is causing issues in my tank.. What is a safe way to remove this beast? It is a charcoal grey/black color.. I have no idea what type of urchin it is.. I have also noticed 2 more little ones recently as well sheeesh how do these thing reproduce by the way... Thanks for any thoughts.

 

[Anonymous]

i would think you could just gently pick him up and take him out. if you're worried about the spines, perhaps you could put on a pair of rubber dish gloves.

an expert should pop in soon and tell you for sure.

 

[willmsbrg]

That thought had occured to me.. I tried to gently give it a push..it appears to really attach itself to the rock.. and those spines would easily go through a rubber kitchen glove.. they are quite thick and at least an inch long... Guess I need to devise something... as it has knocked over several pieces of rock today...

 

[MarkO1]

Try not to touch the spines. I accidentally kicked on in St. Lucia and the spines were impossible to remove (they tend to fall apart with tweezers). I'd pry him off with a stick or something. Then pick him up with a net or something.
Urchins really aren't that bad overall. I'd keep him.
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[willmsbrg]

At first I didn't think he was bad either.. however, this one is making its way all over my rock.. and seems to be slowly chewing bits and pieces off.. I believe I will have to remove it somehow.. I just hope I don't need to rip the tank apart.

 

[Anonymous]

I would leave him in the tank myself.however if you really do want him out just pick up the rock he is attached to and place the rock into a pale of cold fresh water or place the rock in the freezer for about 10 minutes. Let me know what happens. LOL

 

[fishfarmer]

If I need to move my long spined urchins I usually wait when they are in an easy place to grab and aren't in a place where they can attach easily. I try to knock them off and net them or gently pick them up with tongs. Once you disturb them they do hold on fast so you have to be quick. My urchins will actually come out and eat nori scraps on a small piece of removable rock.

Happy Urchin Hunting!!

 

[ophiuroid]

It is probably Echinometra l_a_c_u_n_t_e_r, and odds are all of the one's you are seeing came in as juveniles on the LR.

This is not the long spines urchin. Though the spines are fragile, they are not as bad as long spines. You need to grab onto a spine, but try not to cast a shadow on it. The can, effectively, see you. You can also try to tupperware like containers and try and work those under/around it.

Trade them into the LFS, or find someone else to take them. Many people quite enjoy them. They do not belong in a small tank, or one with poorly secured rocks and frags. Many may munch on coralline, but often people report that coralline will grow back very quickly, and their actions may help to spread it.

You may also learn that they were keeping other types of algae in check.

 

[Anonymous]

I have been debating the issue of gettin an Urchin myself for a couple months now. My tank has no corals yet and I like the creey crawlin stuff. I like them much more than corals. I am just question if they will be happy in my tank.