{"product_id":"short-spined-sea-urchin","title":"Short Spined Sea Urchin | Echinometra spp.","description":"\u003ch2\u003eDescription\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe Short-Spined Sea Urchin is a relentless algae-eating machine — a compact, hard-shelled grazer that scours rock clean of the hair and turf algae most reefers dread. Hardy, active and superb value as a natural janitor, it is best thought of as reef safe with a little caution, since it grazes coralline and can shove loose frags as it roams.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eNatural Habitat\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eEchinometra species are found on shallow rocky and coral reefs throughout the tropical Indo-Pacific, often wedged into crevices and self-excavated hollows by day and grazing the surrounding rock at night. Recreate this with plenty of solid, algae-covered live rock and stable reef conditions.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eAppearance\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eA rounded, slightly flattened test carrying dense, relatively short and sturdy spines, usually in shades of green, brown, purple or near-black. The test typically reaches around 5–8 cm, with the spines adding to its overall spread.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eTemperament and Compatibility\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003ePeaceful toward fish and other invertebrates and not predatory, but it is a heavy, powerful grazer. As it works the rock it will eat coralline algae along with nuisance algae and can knock over anything not firmly secured, so glue down frags and stack rockwork stably.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eFeeding\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eA dedicated herbivore that grazes hair algae, turf, film algae and coralline from rock and glass. In a well-stocked tank it feeds itself, but once it has cleared the algae it will need supplementary dried marine algae (nori) to keep it fed.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eCare Requirements\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eAn easy, hardy invertebrate suited to an established reef of at least 75 litres with secure rockwork. It appreciates good water quality and stable salinity. Like all invertebrates it is intolerant of copper and sensitive to sudden change, so always drip-acclimate over an hour or more. Handle with care — the spines are sharp — and be aware it may lodge itself tightly into gaps in the rock.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eBreeding\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eEchinometra urchins are broadcast spawners and are not bred in home aquaria; their larvae require planktonic culture beyond a normal reef setup.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eSpecies Information\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003ctable\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eScientific Name\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eEchinometra spp.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCommon Name\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eShort-Spined Sea Urchin, Rock-Boring Urchin\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eOrigin\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eTropical Indo-Pacific\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMaximum Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e5–8 cm test (larger including spines)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eLifespan\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e3–5 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\u003eBeginner\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMinimum Tank Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e75 litres\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eRecommended Tank Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e150 litres or larger\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDiet\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eHerbivore – hair, turf, film \u0026amp; coralline algae\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eWater Temperature\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e24–27 °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 clean-up crews\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eReef Safe\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eWith caution – grazes coralline and can dislodge unsecured 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\u003eGreat alongside reef-safe fish, snails, hermit crabs, shrimp and corals — as long as the rockwork and frags are secured.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eAvoid Keeping With\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eUrchin-nipping species such as some triggerfish, large wrasses and puffers, and delicate aquascapes of loosely stacked or unglued frags.\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) \/ Australian Caught","offer_id":55351899783459,"sku":"AA3661-S-AU","price":46.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Medium (5-10cm) \/ Australian Caught","offer_id":55234109669667,"sku":"AA3661","price":53.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0972\/7236\/5347\/files\/short-spined-sea-urchin-43078815121699.webp?v=1790305368","url":"https:\/\/nicksaquariumoceanariumterrarium.com.au\/products\/short-spined-sea-urchin","provider":"Nicks AOT","version":"1.0","type":"link"}