Banded Longspine Urchin

My species/animal is an invertebrate: Banded Longspine Urchin (Echinothrix calamaris). It is a peaceful species that is reef-safe, admired for its striking alternating black-and-white banded spines, long needle-like appearance, nocturnal habits, and unique algae-grazing behavior.

Males typically cannot be visually distinguished from females, as sea urchins are not sexually dimorphic, while juveniles are smaller with shorter, less developed spines. They reach about 8–10 inches across (spines included) as adults and should be housed in aquariums of at least 75 gallons.

Provide ample live rock for grazing and hiding during the day, with open space for movement, and avoid housing with aggressive fish that may nip at spines. Maintain stable water parameters (salinity ~1.020–1.025, temp ~72–79 °F, pH ~8.1–8.4). Unlike some inverts, a lid is less critical for urchins, but ensure aquascaping is secure, as their movements can dislodge loose rocks or corals.

Diet should consist of natural algae growth, supplemented with dried seaweed (nori), macroalgae, and sinking herbivore pellets if algae is scarce. With proper care, this urchin makes a fascinating and functional addition to reef aquariums, serving as a natural algae controller while providing dramatic visual appeal.

International Aquatics Quarantine & Guarantee: All fish are checked by marine vets, given a formalin bath, and held for 14 days in copper-treated systems. We feed Selcon-soaked food with Kanaplex and Metroplex during quarantine. Unless marked, all livestock comes with our 15-Day Guarantee. You will receive a video of your fish eating before shipment. On request, we also send photos/videos after arrival at IA. Some species are import-to-order (3-10 business days). Many common species are already cleared or near the end of QT.

Several species will be import-to-order and may take anywhere from 3-10 business days to secure. Once your fish is secured, you will be notified, and the quarantine process will then begin.