Pin Cushion Urchin

Lytechinus variegatus

Identification	Round body densely covered in short, uniform spines. Color ranges from green to white, often mottled. Short, thick spines give the appearance of a pincushion or pin cushion toy.
Maximum Length	4 inches
Origin	Caribbean, Atlantic
Minimum Tank Size	30 gallons
Reef Compatibility	Reef safe

Behavior

Common and hardy reef urchin. Active at night grazing rockwork. Will also carry small bits of debris and algae on its top surface for camouflage. Peaceful and does not bother corals when algae is available. One of the most beginner-friendly urchins.

Diet & Feeding

Herbivore. Grazes on turf algae, macroalgae, and film algae. Supplement with nori sheets if algae is naturally scarce in the tank.

Cautions

Will dislodge unsecured coral frags. Provide sufficient algae or it will graze coralline algae off rocks. Handle carefully — spines, while short, can puncture skin.