Urchin Help

[spsmike]

I am trying to figure out what type of urchin this is and whether hes good or bad.Here are some links with pics of mine.

http://www.saltcreep.com/forums/attachm ... entid=1472

http://www.saltcreep.com/forums/attachm ... entid=1473

http://www.saltcreep.com/forums/attachm ... entid=1474

 

[spsmike]

I think it is a Centrostephanus rodgersi Urchin.

 

[spsmike]

Any insight is welcomed.

 

[GSchiemer]

Sorry but you can't see pictures without joining.

 

[Anonymous]

id go with a carrier or tuxedo urchin

 

[spsmike]

Sorry, here we go.

 

[spsmike]

Its about the size of a quarter.

 

[Anonymous]

I think it is a Centrostephanus rodgersi Urchin.

Not from that picture it isn't. :wink:
It is not of the order: Diadematoida but more likely the order: Echinoida and the family: Echinometra.
Need a better picture , one that isn't so close up.

Regards,
David Mohr

 

[spsmike]

I think it is a Centrostephanus rodgersi Urchin.

Not from that picture it isn't. :wink:
It is not of the order: Diadematoida but more likely the order: Echinoida and the family: Echinometra.
Need a better picture , one that isn't so close up.

Regards,
David Mohr

Ok heres some good ones:

 

[Anonymous]

that may be in the same order as Diadematoida..Im not an ID expert though... Thats David and John Brandts area :wink:

 

[GSchiemer]

It's most likely a species of Echinometra. It's not the most desirable urchin because they are notorious rock-borers and can really damage the reef structure over time.

Greg

 

[Anonymous]

Well from those pictures I have a question.
Where is your rock from if this is a hitchhiker?
Depending on your answer, I'll either stand by my original response or say
order: Arbaciidae and genus: Arbacia

Regards,
David Mohr

 

[spsmike]

Well from those pictures I have a question.
Where is your rock from if this is a hitchhiker?
Depending on your answer, I'll either stand by my original response or say
order: Arbaciidae and genus: Arbacia

Regards,
David Mohr

Got it from a friend and this is a quote from him.

The rock came from the FL Keys or the Gulf (I'm assuming of Mexico). I got a mixture of both when I ordered.

This is where I got my orignal idea of what it is.

http://www.seafriends.org.nz/issues/res/kermadec/g6echino.htm

 

[Anonymous]

The rock came from the FL Keys or the Gulf (I'm assuming of Mexico). I got a mixture of both when I ordered.

In that case.
Subclass: Euechinoidea
Superorder: Echinacea
Order: Arbaciidae
Genus: Arbacia
Most likely Arbacia punctulata

Regards,
David Mohr

 

[spsmike]

The rock came from the FL Keys or the Gulf (I'm assuming of Mexico). I got a mixture of both when I ordered.

In that case.
Subclass: Euechinoidea
Superorder: Echinacea
Order: Arbaciidae
Genus: Arbacia
Most likely Arbacia punctulata

Regards,
David Mohr

Got any good links for this guy.Is he a coral eater? Thanks for all the advice.

 

[Anonymous]

It is an omnivore, feeding on sponges, coral polyps, algae, detritus, dead organisms, etc.
I've kept them before with no problems as they stay under 2".

http://search.netscape.com/ns/searc...fromPage=NSCPNextPrev&invocationType=previous

Regards,
David Mohr

 

[spsmike]

It is an omnivore, feeding on sponges, coral polyps, algae, detritus, dead organisms, etc.
I've kept them before with no problems as they stay under 2".

http://search.netscape.com/ns/searc...fromPage=NSCPNextPrev&invocationType=previous

Regards,
David Mohr

Yeah, I did that search too but the sites listed just didnt seem to give much info.For instance you said coral polyps which to me sends up a red flag.

 

[Anonymous]

Yeah, I did that search too but the sites listed just didnt seem to give much info.For instance you said coral polyps which to me sends up a red flag.

Give them plenty of algae, sheets of Nori are fine also. With enough algae to eat they won't bother your corals.

Regards,
David Mohr