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Chappy posted:I've a ball urchin that looks like some of his spines are missing. I tested the water and everything checks out. Will they grow back or is something really wrong? Urchins (inverts for that matter) are the first creatures to react to changes in water parameters. This includes spikes in ammonia, nitrite, nitrate and temperature fluxes. Spines falling off is not a good sign. Do you have numbers for the water quality? Ideally it should be 0 ammonia, 0 nitrite, 0 nitrate, temperature around 80F and a salinity of about 8.2. Also, do you have any urchin eating fish such as triggers or puffers? An obvious question, but I want to make sure we're on the same page.
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Jun 22, 2008 07:20
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Chappy posted:Sorry I don't have the numbers, I went by the colors on the strip, and it was all in the acceptable range. According to our hydrometer, the salinity was at 1.023. Just noticed that I said the salinity should be 8.2. That is the ideal pH. Salinity should be around 1.025 for a reef tank. 1.023 is fine though. If the shrimp (especially the cleaner shrimp) are doing well, then it may be that the urchin is just ripping them off on accident (from moving around and getting stuff stuck to him). What size tank do you have? You mentioned that the urchin is eating. What is he eating? His spines should grow back as long as the urchin is healthy. I love mandarins. They are super cute. Do you have a green or spotted one?
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Jun 22, 2008 20:54
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Chappy posted:It's a 55 gallon. The mandarin is posted in the first post of this thread, hes a green one. We've had him for a year, he's my favorite fish ever. I've never seen a spotted one in a store yet. The urchin is mostly eating the corraline algae that's on the live rock, and the odd bit that ends up on the glass. Were you able to get the mandarin to eat anything other than copepods? Since all you're other critters are doing well, I wouldn't worry too much about the urchin. If he does start to deteriorate (such as all his spines coming off) then you'll probably lose him, but let's hope for the best!! Cordelliah fucked around with this message at 02:50 on Jun 23, 2008 |
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Jun 23, 2008 02:48
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I used to work at a petstore and we had a mandarin in a display tank that would eat frozen mysis shrimp. I was shocked, but he would eat the smaller pieces.
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Jun 23, 2008 05:17
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