Description
Pincushion Sea Urchin – Lytechinus variegatus
Overview:
The Pincushion Sea Urchin is a small to medium-sized urchin with a round, ball-like body covered in short, stubby spines. It gets its name from its pincushion-like shape. Known for being efficient algae grazers, they are popular in aquariums for keeping live rock clean.
Origin:
Found throughout the Western Atlantic, Caribbean, and Gulf of Mexico, often in seagrass beds, sandy flats, and shallow reefs.
Feeding:
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Primarily herbivorous: feeds on film algae, coralline algae, and macroalgae.
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Will graze constantly on live rock surfaces.
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Can be supplemented with dried seaweed (nori), spirulina, and algae wafers.
Tank Mates:
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Reef-safe (does not harm corals).
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Avoid predators like triggerfish, puffers, and large wrasses, which may nip at or consume them.
Aggression Level:
Peaceful. May accidentally knock over loose corals or frags while grazing and moving around.
Experience Level:
Beginner to Intermediate. Fairly hardy but needs a mature tank with sufficient algae to prevent starvation.
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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Rounded “pincushion” shape with spines shorter and blunter than many other urchins.
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Known to decorate itself by attaching shells, bits of rubble, or algae to its spines for camouflage.
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Active grazer that helps control nuisance algae in reef aquariums.
✨ The Pincushion Sea Urchin is a hardy, reef-safe addition that excels at algae control and thrives in tanks with plenty of live rock and established algae growth.
