long spine urchjn (white)

[low riderr]

i have 2 long spines both started out black 1 started to turn white a short while after i got them .they have been with me now for about 6 months maybe more . now the other is starting the same thing. the spines are getting white bands .looks cool ,but my consern is are they healthy they both have gotten bigger about 8 inchs across now and roam all over the tank .any info would be great thanks

[graveyardworm]

Can you post your water parameters?

[low riderr]

temp-79+/-
s.g.1025
amonia 0 - 0.25
TRITES 0
TRATES 20
PH 8.2
ALK 10
CAL 400-450
I KNOW THE NITRATES AND AMONIA ARE UP, SKIMMER SUCKS ORDERING A NEW ONE TOMARROW

[iamwhatiam52]

Mine is white too. Have it nearly two years, and though it causes some havoc from time to time, I keep it because it is absolutely gorgeous.

In nature, Diadema (long spined urchin) have some spines with white bands and sometimes a few completely white spines, but I have never seen a wild one with predominantly white spines.

Has anyone ever seen a wild one with mostly white spines?

Mine, started out as a pea sized hitch hiker and quickly grew to a 2 inch body with 8 inch spines. The spines are almost completely white. Never occured to me it may have to do with parameters since it is so healthy.

I'll post a pic in a day or two.

[iamwhatiam52]

This is it.
Do you have a pic of yours?

http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/510/125081WhiteDiadema.jpg

[iamwhatiam52]

Bump.

Is it likely we see white ones in tanks but not on the reef because of something lacking in our captive systems?

[Freed]

What do these urchins eat?

[tangyreefer05]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10152772#post10152772 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Freed
What do these urchins eat? I have not kept one but they will eat algae and nori, I know they love coraline algae. The pencil urchin actually requires some meaty foods included in it's diet however I am not sure if the longspine does too.

[Boomer]

It has nothing to do really that they are captive. It is not uncommon for Diadema antillarum to be white.

They are usually black in color, but can sometimes be white (Sterrer 1986). Diadema, in adult form

http://www.thecephalopodpage.org/MarineInvertebrateZoology/Diademaantillarum.html