Urchin

[Delphinus]

I don't mind the short spined ones. I have a green urchin that just mows down algae like nuts. I'll have to try to get a pic of it. I supposedly have a blue tuxedo but I haven't seen it in ages. I had one before that was awesome at the red fuzzy beard/stubble type algae. I also have one of the rock boring ones but it just sits in its cave mostly and occasionally ventures out but not too far. I hear it could be a scavenger as well as a herbivore.

Anyhow, they're all pretty neat. Be wary that some of them (the colourful ones) are said to have toxic stings, so do you reading. Best practise is to avoid getting stung if you can anyhow.

Here's a diadema (I just posted these pics in another thread but what the hey)..

[Beverly]

How do you remove them from a tank?

[Ruth]

Originally Posted by Beverly

How do you remove them from a tank?

I use those plastic kitchen tongs (the ones you use for salads) Works great.

[Beverly]

Good idea. Thanks, Ruth

[EmilyB]

I've always used a catch cup to keep the urchin pretty much submerged. Some of them can be pretty picky about being exposed to air.

My tuxedo doesn't care, I've picked him up with my hand and moved him from tank to tank several times.

I also have a rock boring urchin who comes out at night mostly....(they mostly come out at night...mostly.... ).

My long spine certainly never punctured any softies, they are very sensitive to feeling what is around them in my observation.