Tripneustes gratilla

(Linnaeus, 1758)

Collector Urchin

Range: Indo-West Pacific and Western Atlantic Oceans (Bahamas).

Size: 6 inches (15 cm)

Natural Environment: Inhabits reef rock and rubble areas covered in algae and grazes on algae night and day.

General Husbandry: Occasionally seen in the home aquarium trade.

Active grazer night and day of algae!

Can be maintained in a reef or fish-only aquariums and if somewhat devoid of algae, small plaster-of-Paris feeding stones that contain seaweed and algae can sometimes help lengthen lifespans of these urchins in aquariums, as will sheets of Nori weighted down with small rocks.

Taxonomy:

Kingdom: Animalia

Phylum: Echinodermata

Class: Echinoides

Order: Temnopleuroida

Family: Toxopneustidae

Genus: Tripneustes

FYI: Edible and sometimes collected for human consumption.

Vulnerable to sudden salinity/specific gravity changes.

Triggerfish and large wrasses will eat these urchins.

Experience Level: Beginner

Diet: Herbivore

Aquarium Environment: Reef or fish-only aquarium

Coral Safe: Yes

Fish Safe: Yes

Invertebrate Safe: Yes

Acclimation Time: Sensitive to specific gravity/salinity changes, therefore be sure to adjust the bag's water to that of the aquarium in which it will be placed by slowly adding small amounts of aquarium water to the bag every few minutes. In most cases, this process should take at least 15 minutes.

Aquarium Hardiness: Moderately hardy

Temperature Range: 72 - 83°F (22 - 28°C)

Minimum Tank Size: 100 gallons

Specific Gravity: 1.023 - 1.025

pH: 8.0 - 8.4