Sea Urchins in the Aquarium

Posted in Cucumbers and Urchins, Invertebrates, Reef Inhabitants

Saltwater aquarium sea urchins are some of the most interesting looking creatures in the aquarium hobby. These animals are great additions to any tank and can be a viable member of your clean-up crew. Urchins are nocturnal creatures that hide in your rock work for most of the day, but at night, urchins are very active and will scavenge for food. Sea urchins will eat algae as well as some meaty foods, but depending on the species, should leave your fish and corals alone unless they are injured or sick. Sea urchins have also been known to eat coralline algae, but this is actually good for the algae because it helps to spread it around the aquarium.

Urchins require very good water quality and are sensitive to some medications. If your urchins spines start to fall off, that is a good sign that you need to improve your water quality. Once the water quality is back to par, the urchin can regenerate its spines. Also, it is important to remember that you must always handle your sea urchins with extreme care because their spines do break and some species are poisonous. A sea urchin sting is similar to a bee or wasp sting.

Like most animals in the reef aquarium hobby, all species of urchins are not reef safe. The longer spine urchins are native to reefs in the wild and will do fine with your fish and corals. One species of urchin you will want to avoid is the pencil urchin as it is not reef compatible. In short, please research the specific urchin you would like to add to your tank before making a purchase.

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