[Bamaguy]

Has anyone ever had a pencil urchin in their tank? I just bought a new piece of live rock and have one as a hitchhiker. Dr Fosters and Smith says they aren't reef friendly but it doesn't say they eat corals, just that they can move around rocks. Should I take him back? I don't have corals yet but plan on it down the road.
I also had a very small golden brown starfish but he ran off and hid before I could get a good look at him.

[e_baer]

I had a pencil urchin and he was a trooper. He ate every bit of algae in the tank, including coralline. I would take him back if there is not a need for him.

[bri74]

I also had one and he was cool I have some pretty large rock and he didnt disturb them at all. Mind you the rocks are at least 2-4 lbs each. They do eat all algae. I have no corals so cant help you there

[Marine1]

Correct me if I am wrong but in the wild, urchins feed on coral. That is where triggers come in handy; they love to eat urchins. The triggers help balance the urchin population and prevent them from eating too much coral. I personally wouldn't keep any type of urchin with coral.

[e_baer]

Urchins will actually eat all sorta of yummy greens, whether is me seeweed or algae. Some urchins will also pick at corals. From what I have read and heard is the wolf eel is a major consumer of the urchin.

[mark r]

I have two globe urchins and a pencil urchin in a 75g with both soft and hard corals. They have never touched a coral, though they do eat all of the coralline algea and occassionally knock things over.

[mark r]

I have two globe urchins and a pencil urchin in a 75g wiyh both hard and soft corals. The urchins leave everything alone save the algea. They will knock things over in their grazing.