I picked up the other itty-bitty diadema tonight. Unfortunately by the time I was done dripping him in (even going from 1.025 to 1.025 I feel better drip acclimating s..l..o..w..l..y :lol:) the lights were off so I didn't get a picture. Maybe tomorrow.

This guy is teeney-tiny! :lol: 1.5" max with the spines. Man can he truck along at a good clip!

I found that, at least with a tuxedo urchin that I had for a long time, it didn't matter if the urchin ate coraline because (so the theory goes anyhow) they spread the spores around and the coraline spreads faster. I found my rocks were still purple and pink and so on, but the glass did get some coraline munched off.

I've never tried a diadema type before so I thought I'd give this guy a go. I like the blue bits in between the black needles :)

Yep, mine was about 1/4" smaller... 1hr acclimatizing period - urchins and starfish are about the only animals that get an acclimatization in my world.

He finally came outta his hole, already doing a heck of a job on the hair algae in the 3g - you can see his trail from acclimatizing to the cave, then out this evening!

I'm trying not to say it...
I'm trying not to say it...
I'm trying not to say it...

Screw it... Tony does your wife know about your fascination with bums? :D

Afraid you've lost me. :neutral: (If a diadema urchin reminds you of a bum, then .. uh .. man you need to get some better porn man :p )

That's not his eye buddy :lol:

I wasn't talking about that - I was referring to the blue shorter needles....

ah yours must be a bit different from mine - mines got blue spots around his orange tookus.

Do these things split like cucumbers? I remember having a large one long ago but now have two "Itty Bitty" ones.

I've never heard of that? You wouldn't think so on account of their shell ... could there have been a spawn (or hitchhikers)?

These may sound like dumb questions, but what is the purpose of having an urchin in a reef? I know they will eat coralline algae and sometimes knock over corals, which makes me not want to keep one. Do they pest macroalgae as well? And why a diadema urchin as opposed to other urchins?

TIA :)

Beverly,
Their purpose is to help one hone their attention skills. I've already moved up to Fire Urchin level :lol:.