Urchins?

Whenever I go to my LFS, I always see urchins. They look kinda dangerous, I was just wondering if anybody had any info about them. Can they benefit the tank or are they useless. Can I hurt myself on one if I get *****ed. I am totally clueless on urchins, so if any body can help me out with this I would appreciate it.
Thanks!

 

if your talkin about the black longspine urchins yeah their beneficial to the tank but I personally wont have them, a buddy of mine with 4 150+ gallon tanks has them in 3 of his 4 setups and he's been nailed by them a few times, once hospitalizing him to have his thumb nail removed to pull the spine out from under it

Tuxedo and pincuhion urchins do the same job just not as dangerous

Their voracious algae eaters and will eat any algae including coraline

 

i have one in my tank and he doesnt seem to bother anything i like him but he seems to sick rocks and small frag on to himself u just have to watch it.

 

We (PackLeader and I) had one, we took it back to the LFS. While it was a great algae eater it wasnt very interactive. It was always hiding deep under rocks, and it when it did decide to come out it was like a spiney miniature bulldozer, anything that got in its way it just knocked it over. Not much fun for our polyps and corals.

 

I had one. They are beneficial in the fact that they are incredible algae eaters. But, as mentioned, they also eat coraline.
I wouldn't see why they would be dangerous. Sure, if your not smart enough to just reach in and grab them with enough force to get stuck with a spine, then yeah, you will get stuck. But dont grab them that hard. Then you wont get stuck But you would be suprised at how much in a reef tank is dangerous. Research the poison in zoa's when you have time. Now thats dangerous
Mine was a hawaiian pastel urchin. I got rid of it because it was very nocturnal and an incredible hider, so I rarely saw it. But not all are like that.

 

the black long spines will stick you, others can be handled with little problem

 

I have a few cyst now in my hands and fingers from them .. Like stepping on a sand spur at a coastal area on the dunes sticks and stings a little and that bump can take yrs sometimes to go away . I think they affect people in different ways ? Vinegar stops the sting but Its not all that bad I don't think I just got hit a few weeks ago That Guy brought me a Huge one over.. He got it also getting it in the bucket LOL

 

urchins i like mine. they eat alot of algae, as long as you dont get the long spined ones they're awesome,they knock stuff over. as mention they will eat coraline, i don't really care about that.

 

After reading this I decided to give one a try. So far mine has moved around a lot and picked up alot of stuff to carry on his back. My question is when he picks up small hermits will they be able to free themselves or will they eventually just starve and die. Do urchins drop all their cover at night and pick up new stuff in the morning. I would hate to loose all my hermits. BTW pincushin urchin

 

Thanks everybody, the one Im looking at is almost a pinkish color, with these white suction cup thingys. Its not really big, I think I might have to buy it. I love anything that is an algae eater.