Should i get a black longspined sea urchin?

Ive seen these guys in the LFS for some time but never really new if i should get one. i know they bulldoze stuff and since ive only got about 19 lbs of live rock in my 30 gallon i was wondering if it would be ok. most of it isnt stacked but about a maybe 5 lbs rock. would it do ok in my tank? also what would i feed it? does it need special needs care wise? thanks to all

 

http://www.3reef.com/forums/inverts...in-diadema-setosum-iotm-april-09-a-62564.html

Hi Gexx

Slocal wrote an article on the longspine , attached here for your convenience
should have the answers your looking for

cool creatures IMO

Steve

 

do you have a glass or acrylic tank? hopefully Glass

 

thoes things get really big i dont think they would be happy in a 30 gal

 

I had one in my 135g and I took it back. The spines get really long and were knocking all my frags and such down. I would think a 30g would be too small IMO..they are great eaters. Might look at a tuxedo or pencil urchin

I have heard of some people taking their longspines and "trimming" the spines down...but I got stuck by my longspine and I did not want to handle it anymore then needed. It hurts!

 

I like my long spine, but I have a 75g. I am thinking your tank might be too small after awhile. They do get big!

 

I have one in my 125 and they grow FAST! I bought it about 2 months ago the size of a golf ball and now it's the size of a soft ball!
I don't think a 30gallon would suffice.

 

IMO i would not do it, i had one bc i thought it looked cool and then it striped my rocks of coraline! lol after that he lived in the sump for a while untill i could find him a decent home! also like stated above they will knock what ever they can over lol not fun!

 

i cought one of those in key west dive instructer started freaking out