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:
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Primarily herbivorous, feeding on algae, detritus, and biofilm.
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Can be supplemented with dried seaweed or algae wafers if natural food is limited.
Tank Mates:
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Reef-safe: Compatible with corals, clams, and most invertebrates.
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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:
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Temperature: 72–78°F (22–26°C)
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pH: 8.1–8.4
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Salinity: 1.023–1.025
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Tank Size: 30+ gallons
Unique Features:
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Effective algae controller for reef tanks.
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Striking white-tipped spines provide unique visual appeal.
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Long-lived and highly beneficial for aquarium ecosystems.
✨ The White Tip Sea Urchin is both functional and decorative, making it a valuable cleanup crew member for reef aquariums.
