How to give an Urchine a haircut (?)

[riemannp]

I have a diadema urchine and wish to keep his spines at a reasonable length. I have read that keeping spines trimmed allows urchine to maintain access to tight spots for algae grazing, etc, and thus minimizes the risk of jumping on zoes, etc.

That said, how exactly does a fella give an urchin a haircut??

 

[Jobiwan]

Throw a trigger in with him, that should do it...hope you like crewcuts :badgrin:

 

[Jobiwan]

Seriously though I think it would injure your urchin...

 

[DonW]

There are two ways that Ive used. Go to petsmart, they sell a elcheapo long reach gripper device with a pair of scissors on the end. I think its for trimming freshwater plants. Put the urchin in a bucket and proceed with the haircut. When the Urchin gets to big to catch you can just trim it in the tank. Just give him a quick trim when ever hes out in the open. If you do it on a regular basis he will stay well kept.

Don

 

[chris&barb]

the spines have living tissue covering them. trimming them opens them to infection