ORA Variegated Urchin

Quick Stats

• Care Level: Moderate
• Diet: Herbivore
• Temperament: Peaceful
• Reef-Safe: Yes
• Source: Captive Bred
• Approximate Purchase Size: 1-1.5"
• Approximate Max Size: 4"
• Recommended Tank Size: 30 Gallons or Larger

Overview

This Variegated Urchin is shipped directly to you with exceptional care and high-grade packaging specifically made for live animals from our partner, ORA. This animal is certified by the Mr. Chili Sustainability Alliance, meaning it is sustainably bred, was raised with exceptional husbandry practices, and 2% of net proceeds will be donated to support Ocean Conservation.

The Variegated Urchin (Lytechinus variegatus) has been a popular invertebrate in saltwater aquariums for many years. Though these urchins have previously been captive bred for research purposes, ORA is pleased to make these aquacultured urchins commercially available to the Aquarium Industry.

The Variegated Sea Urchin, a type of pincushion urchin, originates from the tropical waters of the Western Atlantic and can usually be found roving shallow sea grass flats and other sandy substrates. In the home aquarium, these urchins are extremely effective herbivores, rapidly consuming nuisance algae. Consequently, aquarists must be sure to provide supplementary macro algae if none is available in the aquarium.

While roaming the aquarium these urchins will frequently display an interesting “covering behavior”. Whether for camouflage or protection from UV radiation they can be observed holding onto small rocks, shells, and pieces of macro algae with their tube feet. ORA Variegated Sea Urchins will certainly be a hard working and beneficial addition to any aquarium.

It’s not uncommon for urchins to spawn while in transit. If you notice a cloudy substance or unusual behavior when your urchin arrives, don’t worry! This is a natural response to the stress of shipping and not a sign the urchin is doing poorly. Simply acclimate it as usual, and it should settle into your tank just fine.

Note: Image is a representation of what to expect. The animal you receive may vary slightly in appearance.

Aquarium Requirements

Aquarium Size

A minimum tank size of 30 gallons is recommended for the Variegated Urchin. Larger tanks provide more stability and a wider range of algae for them to graze on.

Habitat Recommendations

Variegated Urchins are happiest in a well-established tank with plenty of live rock for them to hide in during the day. Make sure your aquascape includes secure areas for them to latch onto, as they may carry small items like shells or debris around for camouflage.

• Aquascaping: Incorporate plenty of live rock formations for hiding and areas to forage for food. Ensure rock formations are stable and can withstand the urchin wedging itself into crevices. 
• Substrate: Variegated Urchins are compatible with a wide range of substrates from sand to crushed coral and even bare-bottom aquariums with no substrate at all.

Water Parameters

Maintaining proper water parameters ensures the health and longevity of your urchin. Stable water conditions will allow them to thrive and contribute to algae control in your tank.

• Temperature: Keep the water temperature between 75-78°F. Stability is key, so use a reliable heater that can limit any temperature swings to about +/- 1°F or less.
• pH Level: This animal will do well in a wide pH range from about 7.7 to 8.5.
• Salinity: The specific gravity should be between 1.023-1.026 (27-35ppt). Use a refractometer to monitor salinity levels accurately.
• Ammonia, Nitrite, and Nitrate: Ammonia and nitrite levels should be undetectable, while nitrate levels should be kept below 20 ppm. Regular water changes and proper filtration will help to achieve this.

Diet

Variegated Urchins are herbivores, thriving primarily on algae, including nuisance algae like hair algae, which can overtake a reef tank if left unchecked. They’ll happily graze on the natural algae growth in your tank, making them a great addition for algae control.

Feeding Frequency

Urchins typically forage throughout the day and night, so supplemental feeding isn’t usually necessary in established tanks with a large amount of live rock. In some instances, you may need to provide supplementary macro algae if none is available in the aquarium. Spines starting to fall off the urchin can be a sign of starvation.

Compatibility

When it comes to tank mates, the Variegated Urchin is peaceful and can coexist harmoniously with a variety of other marine species. Avoid predators that may see the urchin as food.

Common Tank Mates

Here are some ideal tank mates:

• Fish: Clownfish, Gobies, Blennies, Cardinalfish, most Wrasse, Firefish, Tangs, Dwarf Angelfish, and other peaceful fish.
• Invertebrates: Variegated Urchins won't bother most invertebrates, so Cleaner Shrimp, Hermit Crabs, Snails, other Urchins, and more are all safe to keep.
• Coral: The Variegated Urchin is considered Reef Safe and can be kept with Soft, LPS, or SPS coral.

Behavioral Notes

• Group Behavior: Variegated Urchins can peacefully coexist with other urchins in the same tank. However, given their large appetite, multiple Veriegated Urchins should be reserved for large setups.
• Macro Algae: While excellent at controlling nuisance algae, Variegated Urchins will also consume beneficial macroalgae. If you have decorative macro algae in your display aquarium, you may want to skip adding an urchin to your tank.
• Camouflage: One of the most fascinating behaviors of Variegated Urchins is their tendency to use small objects as camouflage. They will pick up and carry shells, pieces of rubble, and even loose coral frags on their spines, often rearranging items in your aquarium as they move about. This quirk adds a bit of fun to watching them, though you may need to keep an eye on valuable or delicate items that they might decide to "borrow" for their mobile disguise.