Urchins

[casey]

I like the spinny urchins. If the die or get stressed will they release a poison or hurt any of my corals. Or any positive or negative effects.

 

[rsd]

I had a long spine urchin for quite a while. Really enjoyed watching him move around. 2 unfortunate sides though.
1. my bi-color blennie was a bit careless in chaseing my blue damsel and got "stuck" by a spine. He didn't die but had a big blister looking thing for quite a while. He stayed WAY away from the urchin after that.
2. the urchin began feeding HEAVILY on my Xenia... then on other soft corals; yellop polyps, button polyps, encrusting sponge... pretty much anything it could climb on.
I sold it back to the LFS at twice its size and recieved a healthy credit.
Fun animal but I'd have to not recommend it if you have corals.
Good luck.

 

[birdy]

I have heard urchins eat coralline algae and anything else in their path, they are neat, but I wouldn't put one in my tank.