White Tip Sea Urchin Echinometra Mathaei

Description

White Tip Sea Urchin – Echinometra mathaei

Overview:
The White Tip Sea Urchin is a hardy and efficient reef-safe algae grazer, recognized by its dark body and sharp spines with distinctive white tips. It plays a vital role in maintaining clean rockwork and preventing nuisance algae growth, making it an excellent addition to marine aquariums.

Origin:
Found throughout the Indo-Pacific, especially on coral reefs and rocky substrates where they graze continuously.

Feeding:

• Primarily herbivorous, feeding on algae, detritus, and biofilm.

• Can be supplemented with dried seaweed or algae wafers if natural food is limited.

Tank Mates:

• Reef-safe: Compatible with corals, clams, and most invertebrates.

• Avoid housing with large predatory fish (e.g., puffers, triggers) that may attack echinoderms.

Aggression Level:
Peaceful. Non-aggressive but may accidentally dislodge loose corals or rockwork while grazing.

Experience Level:
Beginner–Intermediate. Easy to care for as long as stable water conditions and adequate algae sources are provided.

Water Parameters:

• Temperature: 72‚Äì78¬∞F (22‚Äì26¬∞C)

• pH: 8.1‚Äì8.4

• Salinity: 1.023‚Äì1.025

• Tank Size: 30+ gallons

Unique Features:

• Effective algae controller for reef tanks.

• Striking white-tipped spines provide unique visual appeal.

• Long-lived and highly beneficial for aquarium ecosystems.

‚ú® The White Tip Sea Urchin is both functional and decorative, making it a valuable cleanup crew member for reef aquariums.