Pincushion Urchin

The pincushion urchin (Lytechinus variegatus) is a Caribbean grazer covered in short, uniform spines in variable pink, purple, white and orange hues — one of the few reef urchins available captive-bred (via ORA) as a hardier, décor-friendlier alternative to wild-caught stock. It is reef-safe and an efficient nuisance-algae eater, though like other urchins it will also graze coralline algae off rock once other algae is gone, and it can dislodge unglued rock or frags while foraging. Peaceful and safe to handle, but — like all echinoderms — cannot tolerate copper-based medication.