So far mine has only "bulldozed" 1 frag in the yr and a half I've had him. Just like most urchins (except for the pencil) do not eat dead fish and other wildlife. _____ What are the most reef-safe urchins? What do sea urchin eat is similar to what pencil sea urchin consumes. Yes, they do poop alot but that goes with the teritory. Possibly both. If … This species grows to a diameter around 5 inches and it comes in black, red, white, and tan. I REFUSE to pay Per Polyp for micro "Frags." Pincushion sea urchin: a comedian, weight lifter, and camouflage artist all in one prickly package… Cons of having a pincushion sea urchin in your tank: They can get pretty big. They will eat soft corals if nothing else is available to eat however as you found out. I have read in some places that the pencil urchin may eat corals- you have to be careful.. since i saw it on my xenia this morning some xenia stalks seem very shriveled and discolored but i see no actual bite marks. The pencil urchin will eat meaty foods too and some hobbyists have reported that they have caught them munching on ornamental shrimps and crabs. Although these spiny creatures look as though they have no eyes, legs or method of moving themselves, they're surprisingly mobile when they choose to be. In general they do not eat zoa's. In an aquarium environment they can grow as large as 8″. I love mine although he did gobble up some Xenia I bought about a month ago. Reef Discussion. I guess none are 100% safe in the first place. I'm just wondering if any of u have a pencil urchin and if so does it bother your corals? However, they’ll also eat sponges, barnacles, mussels and dead fish or other sea creatures. Although primarily herbivorous, pencil urchins are opportunistic feeders and will scavenge for other types of food. Bountiful. Updated August 6, 2019 Author: Mike - FishLore Admin Social Media: The pencil urchin is often picked up by hobbyists that want to add them to their clean up crew. I'm just wondering if any of u have a pencil urchin and if so does it bother your corals? Pencil Urchin. You know, it may have been eating the algae between the xenia.. Teeming with life. They will camouflage themselves with anything that isn’t nailed down, and even some things that are. This urchin will graze on algae, sponges, tunicates and does a decent job. Zoa's are not good eating. I already have the urchin and have decided to get some corals and i know they say they are not reef safe so if that's true I will be getting rid of the urchin...just wanted to check before I do anything thanks The main difference between their feeding habits, is that pencil urchin are nocturnal and tend to feed more at night. So I've got the opportunity for a free pincushion or pencil urchins. However, they may also eat calcareous coralline algae and macro algae as well. Yes, they do poop alot but that goes with the teritory. They are herbivores except for the Pencil urchin. Otherwise, yes they do eat coraline..thats ok that just promotes coraline growth. It prefers water temperatures between 72F and 78F with a pH between 8.1 and 8.4.