Longspine Hatpin Urchin

This dazzling urchin has lengthy spines with alternating black and white stripes. It also has some shorter spines in an earthy tone.

Other common names include Banded or Double Spined urchin.

It is most active at night, and has a voracious appetite for algae, including hair algae - if there is not enough natural food available it may be fed dried algae sheets. It is very reef safe, and only bothers corals if it is starving.

Its spines are easily broken and may easily puncture skin causing painful wounds. Broken spines will grow back quickly.

This urchin can grow to 12 inches.