Hairy Pincushion Urchin (Tripneustes Gratilla)

Care Level : Moderate

Temperament : Peaceful

Color : Black, Purple, Red, White

Diet : Omnivore

Reef Compatible : Yes

Water Conditions : 72-78° F, dKH 8-12, pH 8.1-8.4, sg 1.023-1.025

Max. Size : 4"

Origin : Indo-Pacific

Family : Toxopneustidae

Supplements : Iodine, Trace Elements

The Collector Urchin (Tripneustes Gratilla) is a type of pincushion urchin from the South Pacific Ocean. It is also known as the Hairy Pincushion Urchin because its spines tend to go in every direction, rather than straight out from center like most pincushion urchins. 

It has five or ten double rows of white and red spines separated by spaces of red, purple, white or black. To camouflage itself, it often covers itself with rocks, sponges, shells, or algae. In addition to camouflage, this provides shade, and in some cases, a food source. These urchins work wonders in aquariums that suffer from filamentous algae infestation, consuming this undesirable algae quickly.

Hairy Pincushion Urchins do well in established aquariums with plenty of live rock and excellent water conditions. Since it reaches a diameter of about 4 inches, it should have enough room to comfortably move about the rock work, thus will need some large caves and crevices. Also the aqua-scaping should be securely built, so that it does not topple as the Hairy Pincushion Urchin moves about its surface.

It is sensitive to high levels of copper-based medications. Poor water conditions will cause it to shed its spines and rapidly decline in health.

It is extremely difficult to breed in an aquarium with no distinguishing characteristics to help differentiate it from its mate.

Hairy Pincushion Urchins feed primarily on algae and detritus that they scavenge for on both the substrate and live rock. If there is insufficient algae for it to graze on, the Hairy Pincushion Urchin should be fed dried seaweed.

Size: Small: 1" to 1-3/4"; Medium: 1-3/4" to 2-1/2"