EMERGENCY urchin crushed by clam!

SaltyWalty

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During a water change today my tuxedo urchin fell into a large derasa clam, there was an audible crunch and the clam snapped shut.
This is what the urchin looked like afterwards. Is there any chance for him? He is moving around and climbing walls like normal but as you can see there is a good bit of damage.
Is there any treatment or possible way to save him?
If no treatment what is the most humane way possible to ease his passing?
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SaltyWalty

SaltyWalty

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24 hour (ish) update:
Moved him to a holding tank I have running. He’s wondered around plenty and appears to be alive but still some very visible damage. Any suggestions would be appreciated
 

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MnFish1

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@MnFish1 @vetteguy53081 @Jay Hemdal any of you able to help with urchins and open wound recovery?
Usually, this will heal. I once sliced an urchin in half and it resulted in 2 archins (not on purpose). I would not treat with antibiotics. I would put it into a clean tank (separate if you have one) - to minimize bacterial opportunity of infection - and avoid death/release of toxins to the rest of your tank. Best wishes with it, and please let us know how it goes
 

MnFish1

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Hmmm… so you’re saying I can easily double my population right now? Hehehe jk
No - LOL - but I was saying I'm not sure there is much to do that would help - except isolating it - mainly to protect the rest of your tank. Make sure to feed.
 
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SaltyWalty

SaltyWalty

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Usually, this will heal. I once sliced an urchin in half and it resulted in 2 archins (not on purpose). I would not treat with antibiotics. I would put it into a clean tank (separate if you have one) - to minimize bacterial opportunity of infection - and avoid death/release of toxins to the rest of your tank. Best wishes with it, and please let us know how it goes
Thank you! I will keep him in the separate tank he is in now! Do you think I should remove the bits of broken shell that are dangling?
 

vetteguy53081

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24 hour (ish) update:
Moved him to a holding tank I have running. He’s wondered around plenty and appears to be alive but still some very visible damage. Any suggestions would be appreciated
As long as there is food source, and healthy wwill restore needles/pins.
 

vetteguy53081

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I have nori in a clip for him. Any other suggestions for food?
Nori is more of a supplement than food source but better than none. Algae on a rock would be ideal as would coralline, spirulina or spinach and I cant confirm but have heard thin slices of a carrot. Also add trace elements which it absorbs
 
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SaltyWalty

SaltyWalty

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Nori is more of a supplement than food source but better than none. Algae on a rock would be ideal as would coralline, spirulina or spinach and I cant confirm but have heard thin slices of a carrot. Also add trace elements which it absorbs
Got plenty of coralline, sadly no algae on the rocks. I’ll keep up in trace and try spirulina
Thanks again!!
 

Jay Hemdal

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Usually, this will heal. I once sliced an urchin in half and it resulted in 2 archins (not on purpose). I would not treat with antibiotics. I would put it into a clean tank (separate if you have one) - to minimize bacterial opportunity of infection - and avoid death/release of toxins to the rest of your tank. Best wishes with it, and please let us know how it goes

Oh - I always thought that when the shell (test) was broken, the urchin would live for a bit, but then eventually die. But then, I would always just freeze them at some point after that happened, so I never really tried to see if they would/could repair that amount of damage! Echinoderms have have an open vascular system, and sea stars obviously regenerate, so I guess I should have been more optimistic!

Jay
 
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SaltyWalty

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Oh - I always thought that when the shell (test) was broken, the urchin would live for a bit, but then eventually die. But then, I would always just freeze them at some point after that happened, so I never really tried to see if they would/could repair that amount of damage! Echinoderms have have an open vascular system, and sea stars obviously regenerate, so I guess I should have been more optimistic!

Jay
Well thank you very much definitely didn’t know about the vascular system! I’ll keep you guys updated!
 

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