What do you all think?
- Thread starter Joe Fish
- Start date
I feel like the pincushoin would dominate the tank in size. Ive seen some at my lfs show tank and they were very prominent and space demanding (and this was a 500+ gallon tank) but am not 100% on the size requirments but even if the minimum was listed at a 55 or so I wouldnt want to have one in it.
They are good at letting you know how your water quality is being that theyll start loosing spins in inadequite water (not that I advocate using it as a test kit just saying lol)
They are good at letting you know how your water quality is being that theyll start loosing spins in inadequite water (not that I advocate using it as a test kit just saying lol)
they are also destructive and knock over corals and any rocks that are not properly secured, that being said, I have a pencil urchin, and I like him alot, and have not had any problems with him. From my experience working at LFS, I always used to stab myself on pincushion urchins and spiny urchins when cleaning tanks, so I bought an urchin that I wouldnt have to worry about when cleaning my tank at home.
Thanks for all the input. I don't want an animal that is going to graze on coraline algae. I'll have to find something else to add. I don't have too many options to fish I can add. I've been thinking about chromis too.
What about a Long Tentacle Anemone? My LFS keeps the anemones in a tank with regular floursent. Would I get the same results?
What about a Long Tentacle Anemone? My LFS keeps the anemones in a tank with regular floursent. Would I get the same results?
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i think you said you check F&S but Saltwater Aquarium Invertebrates for Marine Aquariums: Pincushion Urchin
they say 8" but i think they get around a foot but i'm not sure i've seen them big but ya they eat the good stuff
Good luck on getting something new for your tank
they say 8" but i think they get around a foot but i'm not sure i've seen them big but ya they eat the good stuff
Good luck on getting something new for your tank
I'm quite a big fan of urchins - they eat a lot of algae, and generally are quite careful moving around. The Diadema pincushions do get terribly big, though, and just have too much diamter for a standard 55.
I really like Mespilia tuxedo urchins a lot, they get thro a lot of algae, and aren't too fussy about what type either. I've never seen them on my desirable inverts. they don't get too big, and I'd recommend them.
I also like Tripneustes pincushions, and I also have a rock boring urchin - these are good as they will remove hairlage holdfasts, and I'm not too worried about losing a bit of coralline here and there.
I know people are a bit shy of urchins, but I prefer them to hordes of snails, and pesky hermits. Hermits are far less reefsafe i.m.o. The only hassles with the small urchins are acclimating them right, and aking very sure you DON'T GET SPIKED.
I really like Mespilia tuxedo urchins a lot, they get thro a lot of algae, and aren't too fussy about what type either. I've never seen them on my desirable inverts. they don't get too big, and I'd recommend them.
I also like Tripneustes pincushions, and I also have a rock boring urchin - these are good as they will remove hairlage holdfasts, and I'm not too worried about losing a bit of coralline here and there.
I know people are a bit shy of urchins, but I prefer them to hordes of snails, and pesky hermits. Hermits are far less reefsafe i.m.o. The only hassles with the small urchins are acclimating them right, and aking very sure you DON'T GET SPIKED.