black longspined urchin

[mastershake]

are these safe in the reef setup, my lfs has some in and they told me that it might strip the liverocks of algea and just leave really plain rock, he said they are pretty known for stripping off everything, if not then i really want one bad, so any info would be great, thanks

 

[quarryshark]

I have had one for a year and a half now and have not noticed any depletion of coraline caused by any urchin.
I just target feed mine some nori a could times a week and they are quite happy.
Besides, even if he eats some, it will grow back.
The only problem I see is real estate. The get quite big.

 

[Gatorfreak]

In case anyone happens to want to know... these urchins will flourish in a sump with just LR rubble and no lighting. I have several growing like mad in there.

 

[electrikat]

We have had ours for over a year and he has grown from body size appx 3/4 inch and spine span appx 2" to now body size appx 2" across and spine span appx 8". We have had not had any problems although every now and then he will knock something over. He is huge.