Banded Longspine Urchin
(Echinothrix calamaris)

Description

Banded Longspine Urchin: A Striking Reef Algae Manager

Add intrigue and function to your marine tank with the Banded Longspine Urchin. Its distinctive appearance and algae-grazing habits make it a captivating inhabitant.

Overview

The Banded Longspine Urchin (*Echinothrix calamaris*) features a dark, globular body adorned with an impressive array of spines. You’ll observe two distinct types: numerous long, hollow spines often banded in white and brown, alongside shorter, finer spines that can deliver a mild sting. These nocturnal invertebrates spend their days tucked into rockwork, emerging at night to patrol your aquarium for food.

Care Level

Considered moderately hardy, the Banded Longspine Urchin requires stable water conditions and careful acclimation due to its sensitivity to salinity changes. They possess a peaceful temperament but exercise caution in reef setups, as adults may dislodge corals or prey on small, sessile invertebrates. This makes them ideal for fish-only or carefully managed reef aquariums.

Tank Essentials

A minimum tank size of 400 litres is recommended to provide ample space and stability for this impressive urchin. Maintain tropical marine conditions with a pH range of 8.1-8.4, a temperature of 22-28°C, and a specific gravity of 1.023-1.025. Ensure your aquarium has plenty of stable live rock with secure crevices for daytime hiding.

Diet

While juveniles primarily graze on algae, adult Banded Longspine Urchins are omnivorous and require a varied diet. Supplement their natural algae intake with marine-based foods like nori, spirulina, and small meaty offerings such as mussel or clam, especially if algae levels are low.

Why Buy From Us

When you buy Banded Longspine Urchin online from us, you receive healthy aquarium fish and invertebrates, responsibly sourced and meticulously cared for. We prioritize robust packing and humane shipping to ensure your new long-spined urchin arrives safely, ready to thrive in your marine ecosystem.

• Scientific Name: *Echinothrix calamaris*
• Common Name / Variant: Banded Longspine Urchin / Double-spined Urchin
• Maximum Size: Test diameter up to 5 cm; total diameter (including spines) up to 15-20 cm
• Origin: Indo-Pacific (Red Sea to French Polynesia)
• pH Range: 8.1–8.4
• Temperature: 22–28°C
• Lifespan: [data unavailable]
• Swimming Zone: Bottom

Enhance your reef aquarium with this captivating Banded Longspine Urchin today!