Mysterie Urchin

[fish freak2012]

I have recently gotten an urchin w/ long thick red/purple spines, the store i bought it from said that it can sting and WILL hurt.Should i wear gloves when handeling it(when i need to move things around)I have picked up live urchans in Florida on vacation before and they didnt hurt me. Should i be worried nervous to touch it.A name would be great for it to . thanx for the advice.

 

[rcoultas]

Longspine Black Urchin
you should be careful - the spines are venemous and, although not deadly, can be quite painful

 

[fish freak2012]

But the spines are not black and are only an inch long?

 

[rcoultas]

the purple spiny urchin may be what you have then - non venemous but you need to be careful handling them in tanks as they grip and wedge themselves and you will break the spines trying to move them. they are usually are dark purple but sometimes have some reddish hues to them.

 

[fish freak2012]

So do they sting and does it hurt.

 

[rcoultas]

no they do not sting but the spines can puncture wound - more often then not you will break spines off thus injuring the urchin and making it more succeptable to infection or attack.

 

[ophiura]

Do you have a picture please? Let's not guess, there is an extremely nasty species that I suppose could end up in the hobby.

 

[renogaw]

now you have me worried...i have a 1" long black urchin i guess i'll have to take pictures of...

 

[ophiura]

Its highly highly unlikely any are dangerous but I don't want to play around with assumptions.

 

[renogaw]

sry to hijack, but ophi's paying attention to this thread

 

[crabsrkewl]

How come I've never seen this urchin?