Fire Urchin aka Asthenosoma ijimai

[Acronic]

I posted this over in the other invets forum but nobody is really biting.

So, does anybody have experience with this urchin? I would like to start a new tank with a Fu Manch and pair of skunk clowns in a carpet nem I thought that this urchin would make a nice addition to that tank as there will be no corals. I am aware that it is toxic if touched and that it can eat corals.

Asthenosoma ijimai
http://i946.photobucket.com/albums/ad310/salvini55/index.jpg

Asthenosoma varium
http://i946.photobucket.com/albums/ad310/salvini55/thumb-categorie-foto-2023jpg.jpg

[snorvich]

I have a lot of experience with this animal. In the ocean. Gorgeous but can get fairly large, like about 2 feet in diameter. I formerly photographed hitch hikers on this animal such as coleman shrimp. Found naturally on sand, usually sloped, always in dirtier stagnant locations.

[dockery07]

Nope, no experience but it does look cool

[Acronic]

I have a lot of experience with this animal. In the ocean. Gorgeous but can get fairly large, like about 2 feet in diameter. I formerly photographed hitch hikers on this animal such as coleman shrimp. Found naturally on sand, usually sloped, always in dirtier stagnant locations.

ah, thanks for the input snorvich. Is 2 feet in diameter the normal size of this urchin or was that the biggest you have seen. That is huge! I am having trouble finding info on these ie; size, feeding habits and the like. The commensal shrimp are awsome and is one of the reasons I want one next to the color.

[david pinder]

Have 2 in one of my tanks really cool looking not quite as colorful as that pic but still the nicest looking urchins in my tanks. Had them about 3 month 2 inches accross and havent really grown much. Dont doesnt bother anything they do move a lot