Pincushion Sea Urchin Lytechinus Variegatus

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Pincushion Sea Urchin – Lytechinus variegatus

Overview:
The Pincushion Sea Urchin is a small to medium-sized urchin with a round, ball-like body covered in short, stubby spines. It gets its name from its pincushion-like shape. Known for being efficient algae grazers, they are popular in aquariums for keeping live rock clean.

Origin:
Found throughout the Western Atlantic, Caribbean, and Gulf of Mexico, often in seagrass beds, sandy flats, and shallow reefs.

Feeding:

• Primarily herbivorous: feeds on film algae, coralline algae, and macroalgae.

• Will graze constantly on live rock surfaces.

• Can be supplemented with dried seaweed (nori), spirulina, and algae wafers.

Tank Mates:

• Reef-safe (does not harm corals).

• Avoid predators like triggerfish, puffers, and large Wrasses, which may nip at or consume them.

Aggression Level:
Peaceful. May accidentally knock over loose corals or frags while grazing and moving around.

Experience Level:
Beginner to Intermediate. Fairly hardy but needs a mature tank with sufficient algae to prevent starvation.

Water Parameters:

• Temperature: 72–78°F (22–26°C)

• pH: 8.1–8.4

• Salinity: 1.023–1.025

• Tank Size: 30+ gallons

Unique Features:

• Rounded “pincushion” shape with spines shorter and blunter than many other urchins.

• Known to decorate itself by attaching shells, bits of rubble, or algae to its spines for camouflage.

• Active grazer that helps control nuisance algae in reef aquariums.

✨ The Pincushion Sea Urchin is a hardy, reef-safe addition that excels at algae control and thrives in tanks with plenty of live rock and established algae growth.

Above images for illustration purposes only. Exact colours, patterns, and size may vary between individuals.

Please note: The livestock that is sold on our online site is not held in store at our Swell shop, or available for collection from the shop. Species sold at our Swell store will differ from ones available to order to your door.

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