Sick urchin or no big deal?

[Chris J]

I have a longspine urchin who recently started to develop pale spines in a pentaradially symmetrical pattern. Idk if I should be worried or be doing anything to help. He mows down my hair algae pretty well, he's about 2" across the main part of his body about 4-5" long spines. I just would like to know if I should be concerned, I have read that loosing spine can be a sign of poor health but he's not loosing them they are just turning pale.

 

[Lucasb625]

My urchin does this too but i think its the urchin growing more spines.

 

[54seaweed]

sudden temp change would be one reason and yes also as he is getting ready to shoot a spine so he can grow they will change color slightly

 

[Chris J]

THanks guys, I'm just a surprised/slightly skeptical since it is happening in such a perfectly symmetrical pattern

 

[Airgoose2222]

That is a cool pic of the urchin! Hope the others are right with it growing. Definitely a keeper of a photo though.

 

[Chris J]

Some of his spines are striped with pale bands but the all white spines have not dropped or changed at all. I've watched him clean a rock of hair algae so I know he's eating, it's fun to watch him draw lines in the algae as he makes his way across the rock.