Sea Urchin Sand Dollar
(Echinodiscus spp.)

Descrição

Discover the Enigmatic Sand Dollar: Echinodiscus Spp. for Advanced Aquarists

Bring a piece of the ocean floor to your specialized deep sand bed with the unique and often challenging Sand Dollar. A truly fascinating benthic invertebrate.

Overview

The *Echinodiscus spp.*, commonly known as Sand Dollars or Pansy Shells, are distinctive, flattened echinoderms. Their disc-shaped bodies, typically 3-10 cm, are covered in fine, movable spines, ranging from maroon to purplish-brown. These captivating invertebrates are primary burrowers, gracefully sifting through sandy substrates in their natural Indo-Pacific habitats, contributing to substrate health.

Care Level

Extremely Advanced. *Echinodiscus spp.* are notoriously difficult to maintain in home aquaria, with very limited to no documented long-term success for many species, such as *Echinodiscus bisperforatus*. They require highly specialized, mature deep sand beds for feeding and burrowing, and are not compatible with most mixed reef or fish-only setups. Not recommended for typical hobbyists.

Tank Essentials

A very large, established marine aquarium of at least 200 litres is required, featuring a substantial, fine-grained sand bed (10cm+ depth). Optimal water parameters include a stable pH of 8.1-8.4 and temperatures between 25-29°C. Consistent water quality is paramount for these delicate burrowers.

Diet

Sand Dollars are deposit feeders, meaning they continuously ingest sand and extract microscopic organic matter, detritus, and plankton. Replicating this specialized diet in captivity is a significant challenge, often contributing to their poor survival rates.

Why Buy From Us

We believe in responsible aquatics. If considering to buy Sand Dollar online, understand their specialized needs. We commit to ethical sourcing and humane shipping for all marine life, striving to provide healthy specimens for those capable of meeting extraordinary care demands.

• Scientific Name: Echinodiscus spp.
• Common Name / Variant: Sand Dollar / Pansy Shell
• Maximum Size: 10 cm
• Origin: Indo-West Pacific (Red Sea to Australia)
• pH Range: 8.1–8.4
• Temperature: 25–29°C
• Lifespan: [data unavailable, likely several years]
• Swimming Zone: Bottom

Research thoroughly before adding any specialized marine invertebrate to your tank!