{"product_id":"tuxedo-urchin","title":"Tuxedo Urchin | Mespilia globulus","description":"\u003ch2\u003eDescription\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Tuxedo Urchin is one of the most charming members of the reef clean-up crew. Compact and colourful, it grazes algae steadily across rock and glass while often decorating itself with bits of shell and debris. Reef safe and hardy, it is a genuinely appealing urchin — though, like all urchins, it can nudge unsecured frags as it trundles about.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eNatural Habitat\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMespilia globulus is found on shallow Indo-Pacific reefs, grazing algae over rock and rubble in warm, well-lit water.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eAppearance\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA rounded body divided into velvety dark bands separated by rows of short spines, often in striking blue, red or green, giving a smart \"tuxedo\" appearance. It stays small, reaching around 5–8 cm in diameter, and frequently carries a \"hat\" of debris it has picked up.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eTemperament and Compatibility\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePeaceful and reef safe toward livestock, the Tuxedo Urchin simply grazes. Be aware it will unintentionally bulldoze or knock over small, unsecured coral frags and loose decorations as it moves, so glue frags down. It is otherwise an excellent community invertebrate.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eFeeding\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA dedicated herbivore, it grazes film algae, hair algae, turf algae and coralline. In a very clean tank it can run short of food, so supplement with dried algae sheets or algae wafers to keep it well fed and prevent it grazing excessive coralline.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eCare Requirements\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eUrchins are especially sensitive to water chemistry, so a very slow drip acclimation of at least 60–90 minutes is essential. Like all invertebrates they cannot tolerate copper, so never use copper-based medications. Keep calcium and alkalinity stable to support the test and spines, provide plenty of grazing surface, and maintain good, stable water quality.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eBreeding\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMespilia globulus is a broadcast spawner with separate sexes, releasing eggs and sperm into the water. The planktonic larvae are not reared in the home aquarium, though the species is captive-bred commercially.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eSpecies Information\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ctable\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eScientific Name\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMespilia globulus\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCommon Name\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eTuxedo 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\u003e8 cm\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eLifespan\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e2–3 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\u003eEasy to Intermediate\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\u003e115+ litres\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDiet\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eHerbivore — film, hair, turf algae \u0026amp; coralline; supplement with dried 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\u003e1.024–1.026\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSuitable For\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eReef aquariums with secured frags\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eReef Safe\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eWith caution — peaceful grazer, but may knock over 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\n\u003cp\u003ePeaceful reef fish, corals (securely mounted), grazing snails, conchs, cleaner shrimp and other reef-safe invertebrates.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eAvoid Keeping With\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAvoid urchin-nipping fish such as some triggers, large wrasses and pufferfish. Keep away from delicate, unglued frags and loose rockwork it may topple.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Nick's Aquarium Oceanarium Terrarium","offers":[{"title":"Small (1-5cm)","offer_id":55351899259171,"sku":"BA8152-S","price":40.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Medium (5-10cm)","offer_id":55234109145379,"sku":"BA8152","price":45.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0972\/7236\/5347\/files\/tuxedo-urchin-43078815154467.webp?v=1790305368","url":"https:\/\/nicksaquariumoceanariumterrarium.com.au\/products\/tuxedo-urchin","provider":"Nicks AOT","version":"1.0","type":"link"}