Description

Collector Urchin (Tripneustes gratilla)
The Collector Urchin is a hardy and efficient grazer, well known for its habit of decorating itself with shells, rubble, or algae as camouflage. This urchin consumes large amounts of nuisance algae, including hair algae, helping to maintain a balanced reef environment. Its peaceful nature makes it reef-safe, though its strength means it may occasionally move unsecured frags or rockwork while foraging. With its unique behavior and impressive cleaning ability, the Collector Urchin is both useful and entertaining to watch.

  • Care Level: Easy to Moderate

  • Reef Safe: Yes

  • Diet: Hair algae, film algae, coralline algae

  • Behavior: Peaceful grazer; often carries shells and rubble for camouflage

  • Recommended Tank Size: 40+ gallons

šŸ Pincushion Urchin (Tripneustes gratilla)

Common Name: Pincushion Urchin
Scientific Name: Tripneustes gratilla
Size: Up to 4 inches in diameter
Reef Safe: āœ… With caution
Temperament: Peaceful but strong
Diet: Omnivore ā€“ eats algae, detritus, and some biofilm
Tank Role: Heavy-duty grazer and nutrient reducer

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Pin Cushion Urchin - Tripneustes gratilla

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        DescriptionDescription

        šŸ” Description:

        The Pincushion Urchin is a bold and efficient reef janitor, easily recognized by its short, dense spines and rounded, uniform shapeā€”often covered with bits of shells or debris for camouflage. Itā€™s one of the most powerful algae grazers available and thrives in larger reef tanks with plenty of surface area.

        Must HaveMust Have

        āœ… Why Itā€™s a Powerhouse Addition:

        Algae Bulldozer: Excellent at mowing down hair algae, film algae, and even some turf algae.

        Strong and Active: Covers a lot of ground, cleaning rock, glass, and substrate.

        Interesting Behavior: Frequently camouflages itself, adding character and movement to your tank.

        Natural Detritus Control: Helps reduce nutrient buildup by grazing organic films and waste.

        Notes for SuccessNotes for Success

        āš ļø Things to Watch:

        Frag toppling: These guys are strongā€”make sure frags and small rocks are secure.

        May clean too well: In low-nutrient tanks, supplement with algae sheets or wafers to avoid starvation.

        Large tank preferred: Their active grazing is best suited for systems 40 gallons and up.

        Best Used ForBest Used For

        šŸ§½ Best Used For:

        Tanks with persistent hair algae issues

        Systems needing aggressive algae control

        Reefers looking for a hardy, low-maintenance grazer

        Description

        Collector Urchin (Tripneustes gratilla)
        The Collector Urchin is a hardy and efficient grazer, well known for its habit of decorating itself with shells, rubble, or algae as camouflage. This urchin consumes large amounts of nuisance algae, including hair algae, helping to maintain a balanced reef environment. Its peaceful nature makes it reef-safe, though its strength means it may occasionally move unsecured frags or rockwork while foraging. With its unique behavior and impressive cleaning ability, the Collector Urchin is both useful and entertaining to watch.

        • Care Level: Easy to Moderate

        • Reef Safe: Yes

        • Diet: Hair algae, film algae, coralline algae

        • Behavior: Peaceful grazer; often carries shells and rubble for camouflage

        • Recommended Tank Size: 40+ gallons

        šŸ Pincushion Urchin (Tripneustes gratilla)

        Common Name: Pincushion Urchin
        Scientific Name: Tripneustes gratilla
        Size: Up to 4 inches in diameter
        Reef Safe: āœ… With caution
        Temperament: Peaceful but strong
        Diet: Omnivore ā€“ eats algae, detritus, and some biofilm
        Tank Role: Heavy-duty grazer and nutrient reducer

        Read more

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