Black short spine urchin losing spines

Betaktical · 09/25/2018, 06:15 PM

Not really new to the hobby (3yrs) but as the title says I have a short spine black urchin. He is the only one that has completely made it from the beginning till now subtract a shrimp and some snails. He just recently lost about half his spines in one day but hasn’t lost anymore. He still moves around the tank pretty good and eats regularly. I have been closely watching him for the past two days and he seems to be ok. Anyone know the life span on these guys? I got him when he was fully grown so there is no telling how old he is. Any help or experience is appreciated

mcgyvr · 09/26/2018, 04:42 AM

How is your water quality?

Lifespan of urchins is typically 30 years or more..

cincyjim · 09/26/2018, 05:13 AM

Usually due to high nitrates.

Betaktical · 09/26/2018, 07:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mcgyvr

How is your water quality?

Lifespan of urchins is typically 30 years or more..

I tested earlier this week and everything checked out fine. Alkalinity was low but everything else was fine. Nothing else in the tank is showing any signs of stress

Betaktical · 09/26/2018, 07:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cincyjim

Usually due to high nitrates.

Nitrates are 2 ppm

cincyjim · 09/26/2018, 08:54 AM

Do you have a pic of the tank you can share?

nereefpat · 09/26/2018, 11:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Betaktical

I tested earlier this week and everything checked out fine.

That doesn't tell us much. Specific parameters for salinity, temp, alk at least.

Betaktical · 09/26/2018, 11:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cincyjim

Do you have a pic of the tank you can share?

Lol the glass of the tank is pretty dirty from a green coralline (?) that I can’t seem to get off (any suggestions on that?) but I will post one when I get home

Betaktical · 09/26/2018, 11:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nereefpat

That doesn't tell us much. Specific parameters for salinity, temp, alk at least.

Sal 1.0255
Temp 79
Alk 6.3
Cal 490
Po4 0.1
Mg 1450
No3 0

nereefpat · 09/26/2018, 12:22 PM

Thanks. I don't see anything troubling there either. Seawater alk would be in the 7s, but I don't know if that would cause problems with an urchin.

top shelf · 09/26/2018, 02:04 PM

I've heard they will sometimes drop them due to stress. I've also read stories of them dropping for no apparent reason but they did grow back.

Betaktical · 09/27/2018, 03:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by top shelf

I've heard they will sometimes drop them due to stress. I've also read stories of them dropping for no apparent reason but they did grow back.

I hope that’s it. He eats like a pig and has never lost spines before. I don’t want to lose him especially since he has been with me from the start

top shelf · 09/27/2018, 05:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Betaktical

I hope that’s it. He eats like a pig and has never lost spines before. I don’t want to lose him especially since he has been with me from the start

As long as it's still eating that is a really good sign. Just keep an eye on him and make sure he continues to eat and it should be ok.

sde1500 · 09/28/2018, 06:18 AM

I've seen small piles of spines randomly from my urchin. Never seemed to cause any trouble.

09/25/2018, 06:15 PM	#1
Betaktical Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2016 Posts: 363	Black short spine urchin losing spines Not really new to the hobby (3yrs) but as the title says I have a short spine black urchin. He is the only one that has completely made it from the beginning till now subtract a shrimp and some snails. He just recently lost about half his spines in one day but hasn’t lost anymore. He still moves around the tank pretty good and eats regularly. I have been closely watching him for the past two days and he seems to be ok. Anyone know the life span on these guys? I got him when he was fully grown so there is no telling how old he is. Any help or experience is appreciated

09/26/2018, 04:42 AM	#2
mcgyvr Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: North Carolina Posts: 20,050	How is your water quality? Lifespan of urchins is typically 30 years or more.. __________________ Who me?

09/26/2018, 05:13 AM	#3
cincyjim Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Northern Virginia Posts: 1,147	Usually due to high nitrates. __________________ Jim Current Tank Info: SCA 150G, 5 inch sand bed, 2 Tunze 6095s, ReefBreeders v2+ 50" with 2 all Blue Reefbrites, and Continuous Water Change System

09/26/2018, 08:54 AM	#6
cincyjim Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Northern Virginia Posts: 1,147	Do you have a pic of the tank you can share? __________________ Jim Current Tank Info: SCA 150G, 5 inch sand bed, 2 Tunze 6095s, ReefBreeders v2+ 50" with 2 all Blue Reefbrites, and Continuous Water Change System

09/26/2018, 12:22 PM	#10
nereefpat Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2016 Location: Central Nebraska Posts: 3,190	Thanks. I don't see anything troubling there either. Seawater alk would be in the 7s, but I don't know if that would cause problems with an urchin. __________________ Pat Current Tank Info: 125 in-wall , 40b sump. 6 bulb T5. ASM G2 skimmer. LPS and leathers

09/26/2018, 02:04 PM	#11
top shelf Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2014 Location: Pennsylvania Posts: 1,022	I've heard they will sometimes drop them due to stress. I've also read stories of them dropping for no apparent reason but they did grow back. __________________ Knowledge is knowing a tomato is a fruit. Wisdom is not putting it into a fruit salad. Philosophy is wondering if that means ketchup is a smoothie. Current tank info: 45g SCA Cube

09/28/2018, 06:18 AM	#14
sde1500 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2015 Location: Glocester, RI Posts: 3,336	I've seen small piles of spines randomly from my urchin. Never seemed to cause any trouble. __________________ My build thread: http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2548422 Current Tank Info: 65 gallon mixed reef, Eshopps sump and HOB overflow, RO-110int skimmer, Reefbreeder 32" photons V1.