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Urchins and eels?

Discussion in 'General Discussion' started by ALaake, Sep 12, 2014.

  1. ALaake

    ALaake

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    Can anyone here tell me about keeping eels and urchins together? I have some aurnry eels and would like to add to thier tank, but obviously can't add fish, as I can't find any big enough.


    I've always been fascinated with Urchins but have heard they can be kept with eels, and I've also heard the eels can get poked and poisoned.


    Would love to hear what you guys think.......
     
  2. Saddoris(DSMpunk)

    Saddoris(DSMpunk)

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    I cant imagine a tuxedo, pencil or pincushion urchin would be an issue. A black longspine urchin may not be a good idea.
     
  3. ALaake

    ALaake

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    Why would it be a bad idea? Those are the ones that peaked my intrest..... /DesktopModules/ActiveForums/themes/_default/emoticons/sad.gif


    How sensitive are these guys to water quality and what exactly do they eat?? I'm clueless about Urchin requirements.....






     
  4. DangerJ Well-Known ReefKeeper

    894
    Des Moines, IA
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    I've kept a longspine before and it enjoyed eating dried seaweed and would sometime eat extra food pellets that fell in its proximity.
     
  5. Saddoris(DSMpunk)

    Saddoris(DSMpunk)

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    I just hate longspines because they get so big. Is this a reef tank?
     
  6. ALaake

    ALaake

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    No. It's a 375 gallon tank with a 1.5' Whitemouth, 2' Brazilian Dragon, 2.5' African Horned, 2.5' Hawaii Dragon, and a 3' G. Prionodon. Just the eels and a bunch of rock.
     
  7. Saddoris(DSMpunk)

    Saddoris(DSMpunk)

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    Well mine was about the size of a small volleyball with its spines which was a problem in a 75g reef. Probably not a big deal in your 375 /DesktopModules/ActiveForums/themes/_default//emoticons/smile.gif As a general rule, inverts are a lot more sensitive to salinity changes and are intolerant of copper and other heavy metals.

    Sounds like a sweet tank!
     
  8. ALaake

    ALaake

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    Thanks, heres a vid......




    It is sweet, but also pretty boring unless its feeding time, or you make enough noise around the tank they think it's feeding time.


    Intolerant of copper isn't a big deal as I have a great deal invested in my FW elasmos and with no fish around there's never been a need for any copper ever around here. Salinity might be a bit trickier as I'm used to just topping off with straight water, but this is easy enough to address......


    So the Urchins won't poison the eels if they get poked?
     
  9. ALaake

    ALaake

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    WTF? Anyways, here's the link.......

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7y7aR1uLVE4
     
  10. mthomp

    mthomp Inactive User

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    Dude that is sick. I would love to see that in person!!! Not sure how well an urchin would fare in there though. Those guys seemed like that would find a way to fl one and eat it in not time.
     
  11. Sponge Expert Reefkeeper Vendor

    Marshalltown, IA
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    Whoa/DesktopModules/ActiveForums/themes/_default/emoticons/shocked.gif How do you sleep at night?! Those things would scare the bejeebers out of me!/DesktopModules/ActiveForums/themes/_default/emoticons/sick.gif Now I know why I haven't ever researched eels!/DesktopModules/ActiveForums/themes/_default/emoticons/laugh.gif I agree with Mike, I don't think even a long-spine would live in that tank!!


    Have you ever thought about putting a grouper in there?! Of course it would need to be an adult!/DesktopModules/ActiveForums/themes/_default/emoticons/hehe.gif/DesktopModules/ActiveForums/themes/_default/emoticons/hehe.gif The dragon eel is awesome!! Thanks for sharing!!
     
  12. new2salt

    288
    Mingo
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    I just watched the video that is sweet. I'm actually in the middle of making an eel tank myself. The wife is pissed off about it but the kiddos are excited about it.
     
  13. Saddoris(DSMpunk)

    Saddoris(DSMpunk)

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    Wow, that was an intense feeding. I think a panther grouper and a clown trigger would be a nice addition. Triggers are like wet puppies =p

    The spiny urchins may poke your eels. although they probably know to stay away from them.

    One more consideration, if you have an acrylic tank, urchins will scratch them up pretty bad.
     
  14. ALaake

    ALaake

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    IF I could find any fish big enough I'd give them a try, but they'd have to be pretty big, as the Lion that Barney ate was pretty big, heck the Fimbriated Moray he ate was 1.5'. Mr Nibblez (The dragon) already ate some pretty old Monoe Sebaes that were probably 8" tall.

    Doubt Urchins would do any more damage then the eels do when they're rearranging all the rocks..... Pretty crazy what they can move.

    Really wish I could find a big Porcupine puffer.......
     
  15. hart

    hart Well-Known ReefKeeper

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    I think a longspine would eventually hurt the eels. Their spines break off very easily and I have got nailed by them twice, wasn't deep but made an impression. Eels going crazy would get stuck eventually.
     

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