Long Spine Urchin

Care Summary

The Long Spine Urchin is one of the most effective algae grazers in the hobby, capable of clearing a hair algae outbreak that other cleanup crew members can't touch. It needs a tank of 50 gallons or more with open rockwork to roam, and tank mates must be chosen carefully as its spines will injure fish that crowd it and present a hazard during tank maintenance. The biggest concern is spine poke, always use gloves or a net when working in any tank housing a Long Spine Urchin, and advise customers of this before purchase. In clean, low-nutrient tanks supplement with nori or algae wafers to prevent it from grazing coralline or picking at coral frags out of nutritional need.