Need identification

[glipper69]

I foound this bass ass looking sea urchin in my tank today, I have no clue how it got there must have been a hitch hiker as a baby and grew up in my tnak. becasue I have never seen it before. anyone have any clue what is. Is it bad? good? Dangerouos? etc.... Your help is much appreciated

thanks,
Frank

 

[herman]

Echinometra Mathaei aka Rock-boring Urchin
Up to 4" comes from the Indo Pacific

Herbivore - eats algae including red calcerous algae

Reef safe with caution. It will generally leave corals and sessile invertebrates alone, but it will graze on cacarous algae and it will drill holes into your live rock. Occasionally but seldomly will it develop taste for corals so just keep an eye out for it.

 

[glipper69]

So would you keep it in the tank. or should I just get rid of it. by the way is it poisonous in any way?

thanks for the quick response
Frank

 

[herman]

I would keep it. You have had it in there for so long and did no damage. You have enough coraline and judjing by your photoalbum your corals are ok.

These guys are cool because they drill through your lr creating more nooks and crannies for your fish on top of adding more surface area of LR.

Definitely a keeper. Chances are it will crawl back into a rock and you will not see it for a while again.

 

[Tonyscoots84]

that thing looks like a mine. you no the ones that go boommmmmmm. hehe looks cool

 

[glipper69]

it is actually very cool looking. If anyone wants it they can have it free

let me know
Frank