Hair algae growing on pencil urchin

[TonyI25]

Hey so my oencil urchin has seemed to get himself covered in hair algae. How do I go about getting him clean of it? I am not wanting to hurt him and would love to be able to see him again and not just a ball of algae moving around.

 

[aquaworld75]

Pictures? I wouldn’t be concerned. Urchins are known to collect things around the tank… small rock rubble, coral frags, etc. If you have hair algae in the tank maybe try to remove from other rocks / check water parameters. If you wanted to remove the hair algae from the urchin you should be able to play slow pull, tug of war with him. He will have little suction cups that are probably connected. Urchin will be fine

 

[TonyI25]

Urchin won't break off or anything? My parameters are running fine but I'm sure the hair algae is consuming it. I just need to be able to clean it off the urchin.

 

[aquaworld75]

Assuming the hair algae is actually attached/growing on the spines. I would expect the hair algae to “rip” and mostly come loose if you tug on it, before any urchin spines break off. If the hair algae is down close to the central body; most likely it’s just grabbed a few pieces with suction cups.. you should still be able to pull some loose. You most likely won’t get it all, but if your really concerned get some scissors and give him a haircut

 

[dball711]

Use a tooth brush.