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, publishers of the Burgess Atlas.

Echinothrix calamaris
pw79297longspine urchin2 - Did you know? *Long Spined Urchin*
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