Did you know? *Long Spined Urchin*

[Reef_Angel]

After being stung by our long spine urchin today, it led me to search the web to see what effect if any it might have on me. The spine actually broke off in my finger, and the more I tried to pull the spine out the deeper it embedded into my skin. I managed to get part of the spine, but the rest is no longer viewable. It hurts like heck and the tip of my finger turned a pretty shade of purple and is very sore! Some info I gathered below has been helpful and also gave me some insight I was unaware of. As juveniles, urchins feed on algae, but as adults the turn carnivorous and take on the ability to spike a fish and move it through it's spines to it's mouth. Goodbye fishy. I guess I wouldn't be in to much of a rush to introduce it to any kinds of brine, mysis, clams, etc. I just thought I'd pass this along to everyone since I know many of you have urchins in your tank.

**This article was retrieved from PetEducation.com (http://www.peteducation.com/article.cfm?cls=16&cat=1910&articleid=2127), publishers of the Burgess Atlas.

Echinothrix calamaris
http://a1272.g.akamai.net/7/1272/1121/20020318211612/www.peteducation.com/images/articles/pw79297longspine_urchin2.jpg
Quick Stats: Hatpin UrchinFamily: Diadematidae
Range: Indo-Pacific
Size: Up to 3 inches without the spines
Diet: Juvenile: Herbivore, Adult: Carnivore
Tank Set-up: Marine: Coral or rock, coarse sand
Reef Compatible: With caution
Tank Conditions: 72-78

[PurpleAardvark]

When you get stung by one of those you should soak your hand in hot vingar water 75% hot water 25% vingar to kill the toxin. While at first only minor things will happen, if you are a algeric to the toxin or get stung again the reaction will get worse each time. The hot water and vingar will kill the toxin and prevent it from spreding to other parts of your body. I guess the simplest solution is not to get stung at all. But man that hurts like heck, done it a few times my self.

[mutts]

Mutts advice for the day:
Beware of things with sharp spines

But that is interesting Angel i hope your finger feels better

[dakar]

My little buddy Pokey-Mon lived up to his name, told her she shouldn't be petting him.... :D

[davejnz]

I love Diadema sp. Urchins,They are the best herbivore i've ever had in a reef tank.I've heard of various species being poisonous,seems like your is one of those.I hope the pain isn't bothering you anymore.
BTW,here's my "pokey man"

[mutts]

i like the un-pokey-mons better... you know the pencil ones... seem much less dangerous??? i however have a softspot of the short spine pokey-mons... and dakar love the pokemon pun

[PurpleAardvark]

"Mutts advice for the day:
Beware of things with sharp spines"

Does that aply to laywers too?

[mutts]

of course... unless i'm missing somthing and you are a laywer

[reefgeek]

Just saw this....

I had to get rid of my big ol' black spiny, because he developed a taste for Xenia.... Shame Shame Shame..... I also think he was munching on my greenstars...

[lReef lKeeper]

glad i dont have room for one to roam around in my tanks !! but i could use some algae control.
sorry i haven't been around much ... gotta work to pay the bills !!

[hummer]

i would never of most of the salt critter are poisones

[reef123]

i used to have three Diadema SP. Urchins, but that was before i had my live rock and someone told me that they eat corraline and i didn't have any so i guess they starved to death.

[reef123]

i only had them because someone dropped them off at our pet store with with my fish in a bucket.

[reef123]

the fish survived amazingly, i didn't think they would because of all they went through

[melev]

The vinegar will also dissolve the calcium carbonate of the quill or spine, as it is weak acid. This too will help "remove" the bit in your flesh.

This works for bristleworm incidents as well, but I usually just get some duct tape and apply/peel them off my finger.