Pencil Urchin problems

[fishfanatic2]

I have had a pencil urchin for about 3 years. Recently he has not been moving around much at all, and he hs started to lose some spines. I have tried feeding fresh seaweed but he won't seem to take much of it. What is the lifespan of urchins, and is there anything i can do?

 

[Anonymous]

Depending on the genus and species of the Cidaridae lifespan is 7 to 30 years. Pencil Urchins feed on much more than algae so their diet should be supplemented with meaty fare.
Losing a few spines isn't unheard of as they quickly grow them back, but losing many is cause for concern.
What are you water parameters?

Regards,
David Mohr

 

[fishfanatic2]

I forgot about this thread.

Water params are as follows-

ph-8.4
calcium-330
salinity-1.022
nitrite-0

There is a toadstool leather in the tank as well that is doing great, as well as 3 fish. 29 gallon, decent amount of hair algae as well (a good thing for the urchin). He responds feebly and has been losing alot more spines. Anything i can do?

 

[Anonymous]

I forgot about this thread.

Water params are as follows-

ph-8.4
calcium-330
salinity-1.022
nitrite-0

There is a toadstool leather in the tank as well that is doing great, as well as 3 fish. 29 gallon, decent amount of hair algae as well (a good thing for the urchin). He responds feebly and has been losing alot more spines. Anything i can do?

Raise your Specific Gravity slowly to 1.026 (they are sensitive to lower levels) and see if that helps.

Regards,
David Mohr

 

[fishfanatic2]

I'm doing a water change tomorrow, will try it.

 

[fishfanatic2]

I went on vacation shortly after raising the salinity, and when I got back he was dead. Either the parameter change was too late or it wasn't what got him.