Unhappy urchin?

[Jenn]

I know I have already inquired about this, but I think its going on like a month now and I am concerned.
The urchin I received from the last Zen Reef order some of us did crawled into a hole in my rock and has not moved since. Yesterday, I saw what appeared to be a spine floating around, so I moved the rocks so I could touch him to see if he was still alive. As I gently poked him, he flinched so I know he's not dead. All the visible spines are still intact as well. I have never seen him out in the tank - anywhere.

Could it be possible that he is stuck and if so, how could I possibly remove him? He is about 3/4 buried into this hole.

[Reef69]

Stuck?

[JimD]

I believe those were rock boring urchins, thats what they do. Do an image search on Google.

[Jenn]

He is the rock boring type, but I can't see how he could be in the same spot for a month??? It could be that he is nocturnal and ventures out and then goes back to this spot, but I would find that hard to believe since I have never seen him out at all. I am up sometimes when only the moonlights are on and I have never seen him.
I would just hate to hurt him, but really be ticked off if he dies and contaminates the tank.

[MikeDeL]

I almost never see mine. If I want to see him I have to wait a few hours after the lights go out before he starts to cruise the tank. Sometimes I will find him hiding behind a power head during the day. I found him hanging out in my skimmer's pre filter box once during the day. He was wedged in there pretty good, so I waited until the lights went out and went over and watched him crawl out to cruise the tank. If it is still alive he is probably active after you go to bed.

[DeAngelove]

Yep... mine is the same way. :) He cruises when the lights have been out for a while... and likes to hang out in the same area of the tank, during the day.

[Reef69]

HTH's http://floridapets.tripod.com/sm._rock_boring_urchin.jpg

[falcam7]

Do not worry. I have one too from Sam. He will stay in a rock cave for days to weeks at a time. When I go back to check on him, he has move to another spot.

Trust me he is fine. I have 4 sea urchin, they do that. They are very hardy. I know mines are. 2 regular black long spine, 1 tuxedo and the rock sea urchin.

[Jenn]

Great to hear. Thanks all. I will keep monitoring him and hopes he moves soon.
I see where they get the name "rock BORING"

[JimD]

lmao! Good one Jenn...