Urchin question

[zexx]

Hello everyone, this is my first time with a saltwater tank and I have a question.
My tank has been running for 3 weeks or so, and its done cycling. It has an urchin, snails, and hermit crabs right now. Waiting a bit to add my first fish
So here's my question...my urchin has been in the tank for a few days and he's doing just fine. But when I look at him up close he has these little...bugs on his spikes. They move up and down them and I've never seen them leave him. I don't know what they are, is he infested with something? Are they ok?
Here are pics, they are the small white and black things on his spikes:

Thanks in advance

 

[sepulatian]

They could be something from the LFS's tank. Urchins should be kept in an established tank. I am sorry to say that it is not likely that he will do well in your tank. Can you bring him back? You can get another one later.

 

[mark_d]

dont these guys usually eat coraline and other types of algae? As far as I know they do well as "cleanup crew" when you have algae as alternative to algae eating snails.
Anywhos, I cant really tell what the bugs are... sorry heheheh

 

[dragonladylea]

They need alot of Algae in order to survive, watch for him to start losing spines if so it is either not healthy or starving. Bugs look like pods to me but I could be wrong.