Pincushion Sea Urchin Lytechinus Variegatus

£29.99

SKU: STF-MARINE-MISSING-CRITTERS-229 Category:

Description

Pincushion Sea Urchin – Lytechinus variegatus

Overview:
The Pincushion Sea Urchin is a small to medium-sized urchin with a round, ball-like body covered in short, stubby spines. It gets its name from its pincushion-like shape. Known for being efficient algae grazers, they are popular in aquariums for keeping live rock clean.

Origin:
Found throughout the Western Atlantic, Caribbean, and Gulf of Mexico, often in seagrass beds, sandy flats, and shallow reefs.


Feeding:

  • Primarily herbivorous: feeds on film algae, coralline algae, and macroalgae.

  • Will graze constantly on live rock surfaces.

  • Can be supplemented with dried seaweed (nori), spirulina, and algae wafers.


Tank Mates:

  • Reef-safe (does not harm corals).

  • Avoid predators like triggerfish, puffers, and large wrasses, which may nip at or consume them.


Aggression Level:
Peaceful. May accidentally knock over loose corals or frags while grazing and moving around.


Experience Level:
Beginner to Intermediate. Fairly hardy but needs a mature tank with sufficient algae to prevent starvation.


Water Parameters:

  • Temperature: 72–78°F (22–26°C)

  • pH: 8.1–8.4

  • Salinity: 1.023–1.025

  • Tank Size: 30+ gallons


Unique Features:

  • Rounded “pincushion” shape with spines shorter and blunter than many other urchins.

  • Known to decorate itself by attaching shells, bits of rubble, or algae to its spines for camouflage.

  • Active grazer that helps control nuisance algae in reef aquariums.


✨ The Pincushion Sea Urchin is a hardy, reef-safe addition that excels at algae control and thrives in tanks with plenty of live rock and established algae growth.

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We do not offer refunds for livestock that arrive deceased (DOA) or for any losses that occur within the seven-day guarantee period.

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All sizes listed on our website are approximate, as livestock is seasonal and naturally variable