Artificial Urchin For Banggai Fry

I first noticed my male banggai stopped eating September 11th. Just today, for the first time I noticed little eyes in a few eggs in his mouth. I believe the gestation period is about 23 days. I wouldn't mind seeing if I could get a few to survive.

Instead of utilizing a different tank to breed Banggais, I'd like to try an artificial urchin to give the babies refuge from the tank's other hungry adult mouths. The ones I've seen pictures of, had the urchin spines made of toothpicks, but I'm not sure what the body material was.

I've seen posts mentioning these, but can't find anything regarding the material of which they're constructed. I'd like something about the size of a ping pong ball, but it must not float, it has to be either soft enough to stick toothpicks into, or easy enough to drill into. Additionally, of course it must be non-toxic to the reef.

I considered making a ball of marine epoxy, but I don't have any in the house, and if it's something I already have around, I'd rather not buy something. Anyone have any ideas?

 

You dont have to use artificial urchins. Why not use artificial plants? They use seagrasses in the wild along with urchins.....quote from IUCN RedList "Juveniles associate with sea grasses, sea urchins, sea stars, sea anemones, soft corals and corals"... Look under Habitat and Ecology, second paragraph.

 

Oh yeah... Just to throw this out there. Wild collected Banggai's will no longer be available effective next year. They are now considered endangered.

 

Thanks for the suggestion, Geek. If I can do this without the need to spend money, I'd rather have it that way.

 

Im sure somebody in your area has some fake plants just laying around. Or maybe a member on here has some and mail it to you for the cost of a stamp or two. They even make artificial plants just for Fry. Its a think mass of fine blades with room for them to hide in. I used it when I bred cichlids.

You're going to have to spend money on food for them. Thats the hardest part.

 

Heres something good to read from other breeders.... observations on Raising and Breeding the Banggai Cardinalfish

 

How about using marine epoxy or superglue to glue some plastic broom straws to a small rock. You can get a really cheap broom, cut the straws off and glue them to the rock. I betting you could do the whole thing for about 6 bucks.

 

I like that idea. Thanks.

 

What about just sticking the toothpicks or maybe even using longer kabob picks, and just sticking them in the sand?

 

Wow, that's a good idea too!