{"product_id":"decorator-urchin","title":"Decorator Urchin | Tripneustes gratilla","description":"\u003ch2\u003eDescription\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe Decorator (Collector) Urchin is a powerful hair-algae grazer that camouflages itself with shells, rubble and bits of coral. A superb algae eater with real personality — just give it open grazing room, as it will bulldoze anything not fixed down.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eNatural Habitat\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eTripneustes gratilla lives on shallow reef flats and seagrass beds across the Indo-Pacific, wandering constantly as it grazes. Recreate this with mature live rock, open surfaces and a securely aquascaped tank.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eAppearance\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eA rounded, cushion-like test covered in short spines, often decorated with debris the urchin carries on its back. Colours range from orange and red to green and dark tones; adults reach around 10–15 cm across including spines.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eTemperament and Compatibility\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003ePeaceful toward livestock but clumsy — it will knock over loose frags, corals and rockwork as it roams, and grazes coralline as well as nuisance algae. Best described as reef safe with caution.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eFeeding\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eA herbivore that mows hair, turf and film algae, and will graze coralline. In a clean tank it must be fed dried marine algae (nori) so it does not starve or turn to corals.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eCare Requirements\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eProvide an established tank of at least 110 litres with secure aquascaping and stable water quality. Urchins are very sensitive to copper and to salinity swings, so drip-acclimate slowly over two hours or more. Handle with care — the spines can pinch, and it needs steady calcium and alkalinity for test and spine growth.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eBreeding\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eA broadcast spawner used widely in aquaculture research, but not bred in home aquaria.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eSpecies Information\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003ctable\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eScientific Name\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eTripneustes gratilla\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCommon Name\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDecorator Urchin, Collector Urchin, Pincushion Urchin\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eOrigin\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eIndo-Pacific\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMaximum Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e10–15 cm across\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eLifespan\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e2–4 years\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eTemperament\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePeaceful\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDifficulty\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eIntermediate\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMinimum Tank Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e110 litres\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eRecommended Tank Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e200 litres or larger\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDiet\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eHerbivore – hair, turf \u0026amp; coralline algae\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eWater Temperature\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e22–27 °C\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003epH Range\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e8.1–8.4\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSpecific Gravity\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e1.023–1.026\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSuitable For\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eReef and marine aquariums with algae control needs\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eReef Safe\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eWith caution – grazes coralline and dislodges loose frags\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePlant Safe\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNot applicable (marine)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eSuitable Tank Mates\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eMost peaceful reef fish, snails, hermit crabs, shrimp and corals that are securely mounted.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eAvoid Keeping With\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eTriggerfish, large pufferfish and other urchin predators, and delicate unglued frag gardens it can topple.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAustralian marine livestock for in-store collection or local delivery. Drip-acclimate all new invertebrates and never expose them to copper-based medications.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Nick's Aquarium Oceanarium Terrarium","offers":[{"title":"Small (1-5cm)","offer_id":55351899390243,"sku":null,"price":38.5,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Medium (5-10cm)","offer_id":55234109276451,"sku":"BA8777","price":43.5,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Large (10-15cm)","offer_id":55351899423011,"sku":null,"price":48.5,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0972\/7236\/5347\/files\/decorator-urchin.jpg?v=1781501753","url":"https:\/\/nicksaquariumoceanariumterrarium.com.au\/products\/decorator-urchin","provider":"Nicks Aquarium Oceanarium Terrarium","version":"1.0","type":"link"}