Type of Urchin?

[<3Oscar]

There is an Urchin at the local LFS that looks similar to this one in the picture. Just wondering what kind it is and if it has any special requirements? I was never interested in them until I saw it at the LFS and noticed how beautiful they are. Anyone with personal experience?

 

[Amphiprion]

A very nice variant of Lytechinus variegatus. I believe they are often known as "pincushion" urchins.

 

[<3Oscar]

are they omnivores or algae eaters? I keep finding conflicting information... gotta love the internet :/

 

[Amphiprion]

To my knowledge, they are just about entirely herbivorous (more specifically on seagrasses, but algae isn't excluded, IME). They will take meaty foods if they have to or if they are available, though. Never noticed any issues with corals, short of them tipping unfastened ones over.

Edit: another way to think of them is as a "facultative omnivore," if that makes sense.

 

[<3Oscar]

any idea on the max size of this guys? I hear urchins can have very long lives if properly cared for.

Edit: I read. not heard... hehe

 

[Amphiprion]

Not sure on the natural lifespan, honestly. They do get around 4 inches in diameter, with 3 being more common.

 

[Ace25]

They usually get around a "billiards" ball in size at most. They can live many years if properly cared for.

One warning I think should come with all Urchins though is "They are not acrylic tank safe". They can do a lot of damage scratching an acrylic tank when they eat the coralline algae off of it.

edit: ninja'd again.. story of my life.

 

[<3Oscar]

alright. thank you for the info. I was wondering about the size because I found this site:

http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2003-11/rs/index.php

which listed them as being too large for home aquaria, but didn't give much else for explanation. So I was just imagining like a giant basketball sized urchin bouncing around in a tank. 3-4 inches doesnt sound quite as scary

 

[Amphiprion]

They usually get around a "billiards" ball in size at most. They can live many years if properly cared for.

One warning I think should come with all Urchins though is "They are not acrylic tank safe". They can do a lot of damage scratching an acrylic tank when they eat the coralline algae off of it.

edit: ninja'd again.. story of my life.

I lol'd, seriously. I was wondering when you'd catch it...

Not a ninja, but close...

 

[Amphiprion]

alright. thank you for the info. I was wondering about the size because I found this site:

http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2003-11/rs/index.php

which listed them as being too large for home aquaria, but didn't give much else for explanation. So I was just imagining like a giant basketball sized urchin bouncing around in a tank. 3-4 inches doesnt sound quite as scary

A 3-4 inch urchin is pretty hefty, considering the damage they can do and what they can move.