Strongylocentrotus franciscanus

(Agassiz, 1863)

Purple Urchin

Range: Eastern Pacific Ocean: Canada to Mexico.

Size: 4 inches (10 cm)

Natural Environment: Inhabits intertidal zones.

Aquarium Suitability: Not collected for the home tropical aquarium trade.

Has a temperature range of 59 to 68°F (15 - 20°C).

Taxonomy:

Kingdom: Animalia

Phylum: Echinodermata

Class: Echinoides

Order: Echinoida

Family: Strongylocentrotidae

Genus: Strongylocentrotus

FYI: Shown here for identification only.

Slightly more reddish that S. purpuratus. Consumes huge amounts of algae, particularly kelp. Mass fertilization occurs in the water column in mid-summer. Larvae settle out near adults after 6 to 8 weeks in the plankton, and juveniles smaller than 40 mm typically shelter under the spines of nearby adults. These urchins usually live for 7 - 10 years in the wild but some may reach 30 years old in British Columbia, Canada. Sexually mature at 2 inches (50 mm) diameter. Nocturnal and a cool water species. Their eggs are used in sushi bars.