urchin help

miket1031 · #1 05/02/2004, 07:52 PM

Do urchins "shed" their spines from time to time, or does mine have a problem?

eric2524 · #2 05/02/2004, 08:02 PM

They usually do this when the water quality is below normal ranges...not a good thing. What are yor water params?

rjwilson37 · #3 05/02/2004, 08:08 PM

If they lose there spines, then the chances of survival are not good. As soon as all the spines fall off, get him out, it is alot easier to get him out when all the spines fall off.

Like eric say's, it is a sign of bad water quality. How long have you had him?

miket1031 · #4 05/02/2004, 08:10 PM

nitrite 0, ammonia 0, nitrate 10, ph 8.2, salinity 1.025, temp 78. its only been in the tank for like 24, could it be stressed from the acclimation?

miket1031 · #5 05/02/2004, 08:11 PM

24 hours i meant, sorry

miket1031 · #6 05/02/2004, 08:13 PM

its lost just 2 spines, hes got plenty more and is very active when the lights go out.

eric2524 · #7 05/02/2004, 08:17 PM

Could be stress from when you purchaced him, the move, different water prams form the tank he was in before... etc.
I would keep a close eye on him, if he is dropping more spines and sitting on one spot, get him out, carefully, some are vemonious. If he doesn't drop any more and is active, moniter him for a week or two, keep an eye on him, if nothing than he should be fine.

Eric

miket1031 · #8 05/02/2004, 08:20 PM

thanks for the help.

eric2524 · #9 05/02/2004, 08:22 PM

No problem

rjwilson37 · #10 05/02/2004, 08:38 PM

Oh, you made it sound like all his spines were falling off. They can just get cracked and knocked off. Are they really long right now?

eric2524 · #11 05/02/2004, 08:47 PM

Thants what I thought at first.