please ID

currentking · #1 09/01/2007, 08:57 PM

is this safe for my reef? I just saw it in here today.

schoch79 · #2 09/01/2007, 09:03 PM

Yep it's ok. It will eat algae but if I remember right it will also eat coralline algae. Up to you if you want to keep it. I've heard of plenty of people that have them in their tanks.

seabisque · #3 09/01/2007, 09:09 PM

ME THINKS IT IS A FEATHER DUSTER AKA TUBE WORM

schoch79 · #4 09/01/2007, 09:13 PM

It's an urchin.

IslandCrow · #5 09/01/2007, 09:54 PM

Is it behind the urchin?

No, it is the urchin!

Saltwaterstart · #6 09/01/2007, 10:25 PM

Sea urchin.

Don't touch it.

seabisque · #7 09/01/2007, 10:30 PM

DO SEA URCHINS LOOK KIND OF LIKE FEATHERDUSTERS?
\

coast2coast7390 · #8 09/01/2007, 10:32 PM

its an urchin and by the looks of it could be venomous

Saltwaterstart · #9 09/01/2007, 10:36 PM

Feather dusters and sea urchins don't really look the same. They can under some circumstances, but the main thing is, feather dusters don't move around the tank and eat algae.

Here's the difference.

Sea urchin...

Feather duster...

These are not from my tank, but I wish they were.

coast2coast7390 · #10 09/01/2007, 10:42 PM

it most likely go after macro and hir algae
i had an urchin that sat on its side and started to eat a strand of Carlupa

michaeljames · #11 09/01/2007, 11:14 PM

it is an urchin, and it will eat coralline algae but if you already have a good base of coralline it will replenish itself faster than the urchin can eat it. IMO a very interesting addition to any tank, shouldn't cause you any problems, he will grow fast though!

seabisque · #12 09/01/2007, 11:42 PM

still looks like a featherduster from the aerial view and some algae

schoch79 · #13 09/02/2007, 01:52 AM

(In a strong austrian accent) It's not a dusta!

funman1 · #14 09/02/2007, 01:55 AM

That's about as urchin as urchin gets??
Do you have a pic of a feather duster that even remotely looks like that?
I'd love to see it..

funman1 · #15 09/02/2007, 01:55 AM

Double post sorry

Ben485 · #16 09/02/2007, 01:56 AM

don't touch that featherdusta it will hurt ya bad!!!!

currentking · #17 09/02/2007, 05:30 AM

I also thought it was an urchin, but I wasnt sure if it was reef safe. So from what I gather it is reef safe, just dont touch it because it is not "me" safe, correct?

IslandCrow · #18 09/02/2007, 10:35 AM

I wouldn't say don't touch it, but certainly be careful. It's not going to jump off the glass and sink its fangs into you or anything like that, but those spines can be very sharp and extremely painful if you jab a finger on one. . .or a foot. I've done that. . .OUCH!

bluetmax · #19 09/02/2007, 10:44 AM

It looks to me like a regular long spined urchin, and to my knowledge they aren't venomous. You said you just noticed it. Was this a hitchiker on some rock? I wouldn't pick it up and use it to scratch my eye with it if I had an itch, however. lol If you just gently "scoop" it up and don't mash it, you should be OK if you opt to move it. The only draw-back IMO, is they munch on corralline, and get HUGE if it is indeed the long spine. I've been wrong before though. lol

Theomi · #20 09/02/2007, 11:30 AM

They are as venemous as a bee sting

currentking · #21 09/02/2007, 01:23 PM

it was a hitchhiker. Thanks for the info

Saltwaterstart · #22 09/02/2007, 03:58 PM

Just asking this question but...

Are there any small urchins?

ferg822 · #23 09/02/2007, 05:04 PM

do these things grow in your tank without doing anything. dont u have to bye urchins or whatever it is

Saltwaterstart · #24 09/02/2007, 05:08 PM

You usually have to buy urchins because they are considered part of a clean up crew. They eat hair algae, but leave corals alone.

Urchins around my area are about $20.00

funman1 · #25 09/02/2007, 05:52 PM

I had two urchins show up in my tank that were hitch hikers.
They don't need any special treatment, just some alage and coraline.

Watch out,they they don't harm coral per'se but they do act like bulldosers. Any rock that can be moved,will be when they get big enough..