Short Black Urchin

Pseudoboletia sp.

Identification	A rounded urchin clad in short, dense dark spines (black to purple-brown). Like its collector-urchin relatives it often camouflages itself, holding bits of shell, rubble and algae over its body with its tube feet.
Maximum Length	about 4–5″ across
Origin	Indo-Pacific
Minimum Tank Size	30 Gal.
Reef Compatibility	Reef safe (with caution)

Behavior

A hardy, peaceful, mostly nocturnal grazer that mows film and hair algae from rock and glass, and frequently decorates itself with loose debris. It makes a useful and interesting member of the cleanup crew in a tank with enough algae to sustain it.

Diet & Feeding

Herbivore and detritivore. It grazes algae off the rockwork; if the tank is very clean, supplement with dried algae/nori so it does not go hungry.

Cautions

As it grazes it can knock over unglued frags and small corals and carry off loose items, so secure your aquascape. Urchins are sensitive to poor water quality and copper — acclimate slowly by drip. The spines are not dangerously venomous but can give a sharp pinch, so handle with care.