If you think urchins only eat algae, think again

[Paul B]

This long spine urchin has been in my tank for quite a few years and when ever he can get it, he enjoys some clam for dessert.

I sometimes have to help him because when he approaches a piece of clam, he impales it on a spine and being he is all "thumbs" he can't get the thing off so I suck the clam off and shoot it where he can more easily get to it. This clam was a little smaller than a marble. He devoured it in a few minutes then moved along before any one noticed.





http://s258.photobucket.com/user/urchsearch/media/003_zpsv8yvgdsm.jpg.html





He is almost finished here. It takes him a while to maneuver it to his mouth but he gets it there.

 

[Mark_C]

Had one I banished to my sump as it was eating some coral. Every once in a while Id see him in there eating a cricket that had jumped in.

 

[Paul B]

So that's what happened to Jimmini. My pet cricket.

 

[Jeremy Brito]

I have a love hate relationship with my urchin.. I love to watch him move about the tank but he's like a bull in a China shop and just plows threw everything iny tank leaving destruction in his wake

 

[Ocelaris]

I have 4 tuxedo urchins, and saw one eat the tops (algae covered) off some dead sps coral, actually saved me some trouble, and the coral has rebounded. Literally ground off about 3/8 to half inch of dead sps skeleton to get to the algae. So as long as I have algae I'll have them!

 

[Paul B]

This is how I collect tuxedo urchins

 

[MadReefer]

I have a love hate relationship with my urchin.. I love to watch him move about the tank but he's like a bull in a China shop and just plows threw everything iny tank leaving destruction in his wake

Why I gave mine away. I like them but to much hassle IMO.