Rainbow Urchin

[stw280]

Would anyone recomend or have any experience with Rainbow Urchins in reef tanks. I have some zoos, mushroom coral, and a goniopora. I understand that they could possibly hurt some corals. Any info would be appreciated.

 

[sandman12]

stay away form urchins, they get so anoying. They knock over coral all the time.

 

[viper_930]

Urchins also eat coraline algea. They can help it spread though, because when they scrub the rocks the coraline turns into spores and settles elswhere in the tank. But they do leave spots where the coraline has been eaten.

 

[bang guy]

I have a Rainbow Urchin from here. I really like it. I wish I had a couple more.

 

[stw280]

Thanks guys any more Rainbow owners.

 

[clarkiiboi]

I haven't heard of rainbow urchins, but I am in the same boat as you. Wanting to add the "best" one, if possible in a reef. Bang can you give more details? A bump for you stw280, and I will tag along.

 

[bang guy]

The behavior is exactly like Diadema lacunter. Just a different color.

 

[schneidts]

common name?

 

[fishtanker]

i have 3 different types of urchins (longspine, pincushion, and pencil). they are great at grazing hair algae off the rocks and they do eat quite a bit of coralline but like said they help to spread it. i've had no problems with them eating corals. i have them all in tanks with soft and hard corals.

 

[bang guy]

Originally posted by schneidts
common name?
Rock-boring Urchin I think.
Fishtanker - Your Pencil doesn't eat any of your corals? Do you have any polyps?

 

[fishtanker]

i had my pencil in both my 125reef, that has gsp's and clove polyps, and now he's in my 110 with only anthellia and xenia. he hasn't touched anything yet.