What kind of urchin to get?

[Lutra1]

I've had my tank for a bit now and would like to get some kind of additional algae eater (in addition to snails and hermits). My boyfriend for some reason is die hard about us getting an urchin (even though I think they're hideous). I gave him the okay to buy it himself and stick it in there though. So what kind would be safe to get? I have a Nano Cube 24DX. I researched them some and am concerned about either getting poked or them dying and invenomizing my tank (is that even a word). Any sugestions? I kind of settled on a pin cushion or tuxedo urchin, but he has his heart set on a long spine or pencil urchin.

Or should I just get a pretty little starfish instead?

 

[jdeets]

I would recommend a tuxedo urchin. They won't spike you like the long spine ones and they are actually very pretty. They also are not quite so bad about eating up all your coralline algae. Long-spine urchins eat a lot more coralline, and they poke you and your other livestock and IMO would be too big for a tank that size.

You can find small specimens of tuxedos (like 1" across) that would go nicely in your tank.

Pretty little starfishes are nice too, but IME, the only star that I've kept alive long-term is a red serpent star, which would probably be too big for that size tank. Other pretty little stars, like red reef stars or sand sifters, always seem to hang out for a few months then disappear.

Between a star or urchin, I'd go tuxedo urchin.

 

[Lutra1]

Hmm, new question has arisen. As I've been looking up the urchins I've noted thay they require about 80-82f (good there) and 36ppt salinity (not good!). My salinity has been remaining constant at around 30ppt (1.021). Will my urchin tolerate this or do I need to adjust my salinity a bit, and if so, how? I purchased my RO saltwater and figured I wouldn't need to adjust much as far as that goes, so I'm at a loss.

 

[jdeets]

They will tolerate variances from that, but if you plop an urchin into a tank with dramatically different salinity, it will probably die.

Why not just raise your salinity slowly to 1.026 or .027, before you get the urchin? I keep my tank in that range.

To raise your salinity, top off with salt water until the SG gets where you want it. Then switch back to fresh for top-off.

You might also ask the LFS to make your salt water with a higher SG. Usually they make it by mixing super-salinated water with plain RO/DI in the jugs--just tell them you want it with a higher SG.

If they can't do that--then you can adjust the SG by adding some salt mix to it before you do your w/c.

HTH

 

[Lutra1]

Oh goodness yes I was going to add salt before he came! Thanks for the input.

 

[bigblue]

dont know what type it is but here is a pic of mine it does well it has purple bands on its topside may be some one can help me

 

[jdeets]

That's the long spine urchin I mentioned. They seem to do well but they are voracious coralline algae eaters.

 

[Lutra1]

I've settled on a blue tuxedo urchin. Just gotta order one from the LFS.

 

[jdeets]

Great choice!