Description

Red Sea Urchin – Heliocidaris erythrogramma

Overview:
The Red Sea Urchin is a vibrant echinoderm known for its brilliant crimson to deep burgundy spines. Its bold coloration makes it a standout addition to large marine aquariums while also serving as a useful grazer on unwanted algae.

Origin:
Native to temperate reef systems of the Western Pacific and Southern Australia, where it inhabits rocky seabeds and reef flats.

Feeding:

Grazes on algae, seaweed, and detritus.
Supplement diet with nori, algae wafers, and fresh macroalgae in captivity.

Tank Mates:

Generally reef-safe, though it may occasionally scrape or topple corals and loose décor while grazing.
Avoid housing with urchin predators such as puffers, triggers, or large wrasses.

Aggression Level:
Peaceful. Non-aggressive toward fish and invertebrates.

Experience Level:
Intermediate to Advanced. Requires stable water quality, strong aquascaping, and regular algae availability.

Water Parameters:

Temperature: 68–75°F (20–24°C) (slightly cooler than tropical urchins)
pH: 8.1–8.4
Salinity: 1.023–1.025
Tank Size: 75+ gallons

Unique Features:

Stunning blood-red coloration makes it highly decorative.
Long-lived and resilient under proper care.
Efficient grazer for algae management in larger aquariums.

✨ The Red Sea Urchin combines striking beauty with practical algae control, making it a superb choice for advanced aquarists with cooler reef systems.