Tuxedo Urchin Not Looking Too Good

[jeffopentax]

My tuxedo urchin, one of the few survivors of my large salt tank disaster in the spring, looks almost dead today. Has lost a bunch of spines (bad sign!), and isn't blue anymore. Dropped in some mysis and only about half as many feelers as usual came out. The only thing i have changed recently is the light (18" t8 to 30w led flood). I've read they only live about 5 years. He looked perfectly fine yesterday, so I doubt it's old age. Ideas anyone?

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[scubasteve]

they are sensitive to high phos and water with low ph

 

[jeffopentax]

Just remembered, i did switch out the powerhead yesterday. The one i put in had some dead coraline algae, which has since turned white. Could that have affected the tank adversely?


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[Shooter000]

He needs algea, Gha , or coraline, once that runs out its hard for them to survive, , so I've been told, mine was in harleymikes setup for who knows how long, now in mine for almost a year, an he plows through my coroline, it's hard to keep my rocks purple

 

[jeffopentax]

Whoa! Ph is 7! I am ashamed[emoji17]


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[SamB]

Well nothing to be ashamed of. I have 2 pin cushion, 1 black long spine and 1 tuxedo and all have been in the same tank for at least a year.
I don't feed mine and I assume that they are all munching on algae and seem to be healthy
Never seen one turn that brown color though
Keep your eye on him because it won't be good if he dies and could potentially pollute your whole tank ...