Blue tuxedo urchin

[Kevin Michael]

I recently bought a urchin that dies one day after I put it in the tank, it dropped all its spines and died. Also about 3 months ago I bought an urchin that did the same thing. I can't figure out why they are dying. Does anyone have a clue of why they might be dying.

 

[florida joe]

Lack of food, water quality, what are your water readings especially nitrates

 

[Kevin Michael]

Lack of food, water quality, what are your water readings especially nitrates

I wouldn't think it would starve I have plenty of hair algea in the tank and before I added it to the tank it tested close to no nitrated

 

[jay0705]

How did u acclimate it

 

[lmforbis]

Urchins need to be drip acclimated very slowly

 

[Kevin Michael]

How did u acclimate it

Urchins need to be drip acclimated very slowly

30min for drip acclimation and 20 minute of floating it.

 

[lmforbis]

Typically I drip urchins for a couple hours.

 

[Kevin Michael]

Typically I drip urchins for a couple hours.

The guy at the saltwater fish store said that because of the cold I should only drop acclimate for 30min or else the water will start to get cold.

 

[florida joe]

whats the temp of your house

 

[Kevin Michael]

whats the temp of your house

Usually 72

 

[lmforbis]

I'd put a small heater in the container you are drip acclimating in. Urchins are very sensitive to changes. This goes for all urchins.
If the volume is too small for a heater you can place a small container inside a larger container of water with a smal heater. This will keep your temp good and increase the chance your urchin will survive.

 

[florida joe]

whats the temp of your tank water

 

[Kevin Michael]

whats the temp of your tank water

I keep it around 80