Common Colored Urchin

Urchins have sharp teeth at their center which they use to scrape algae, including coralline algae. They are able to scratch acrylic so are recommended only for glass aquariums. Echinoderms such as urchins are extremely sensitive to changes in the water quality. They require well established aquariums for both water stability and sufficient food supply.

This colorful animal is also called the Halloween urchin for its bright orange and black color. It eats a wide variety of algae, including macroalgae. If there is not enough algae to eat it may be fed dried algae sheets. It uses its tiny tube feet to collect small items and use them as camouflage. It is very reef safe, and only bothers corals if it is starving. It is typically collected from the Philippines and can grow to 4 inches.