Spineless Urchin Blue
(Mespilia globulus)

Descrição

The Blue Tuxedo Urchin, *Mespilia globulus*, is a popular and attractive marine invertebrate known for its efficient algae-grazing abilities. It typically displays broad, velvety blue or black bands alternating with rows of short, brown, or tan spines, giving it a distinctive “tuxedo” appearance. This species is primarily nocturnal, spending its day hidden among rocks or crevices and emerging at night to forage across the aquarium surfaces. They have a unique behavior of “decorating” themselves with small pieces of substrate, shells, or algae for camouflage, which adds an interesting dynamic to your reef tank.

**Care Level**
The Blue Tuxedo Urchin is considered an easy to moderately easy invertebrate to care for, making it suitable for both beginner and experienced aquarists. They are peaceful and entirely reef-safe, posing no threat to corals or other invertebrates. They are excellent members of a cleanup crew, effectively controlling nuisance algae, including green hair algae and filamentous types. However, they are sensitive to sudden changes in salinity and high nitrate levels, requiring careful acclimation and stable water parameters. Avoid housing them with predatory fish like triggerfish or large wrasses.

**Tank Essentials**
A minimum tank size of 60-75 litres (20 gallons) is recommended for a single Blue Tuxedo Urchin, with larger tanks being beneficial for stability and ample grazing area. Ensure your aquarium has plenty of established live rock, providing surfaces for grazing and hiding spots during the day. Ideal water parameters include a temperature range of 22-26°C (72-79°F), a pH of 8.1-8.4, and a specific gravity of 1.023-1.025. Maintain low nitrates (below 10 ppm).

**Diet**
As a herbivore, the Blue Tuxedo Urchin primarily grazes on algae in the aquarium, including diatoms, green hair algae, and sometimes even coralline algae. If natural algae levels are insufficient, supplement their diet with dried seaweed (nori) or algae-based foods, offered by weighing them down on rocks.

**Why Buy From Us**
At Corais de Vidro, we ensure every marine inhabitant, including our stunning Blue Tuxedo Urchins, is healthy and responsibly sourced. We promote sustainable aquatics, providing robust specimens acclimatized to aquarium life. When you buy Blue Tuxedo Urchin online from us, you’re choosing a vibrant, active addition for your healthy aquarium fish and invertebrates, shipped with care.

* **Scientific Name:** *Mespilia globulus*
* **Common Name / Variant:** Blue Tuxedo Urchin / Spineless Urchin Blue
* **Maximum Size:** 7 cm
* **Origin:** Indo-Pacific Ocean (Indonesia, Philippines, Southern Japan)
* **pH Range:** 8.1–8.4
* **Temperature:** 22–26°C
* **Lifespan:** 1–3 years (in captivity); reported up to 200 years in ideal conditions (wild data unclear)
* **Swimming Zone:** Bottom

Add this diligent and dazzling algae-grazer to your reef tank today!