Rock Boring Urchin

Care Summary

The Rock Boring Urchin is a tough, compact urchin that uses its teeth and spines to physically grind shallow depressions into rock where it wedges itself securely, and it is a reliable long-term grazer for controlling algae on rockwork in a reef system. It is adaptable to a range of tank conditions and coexists well with most fish and invertebrates, settling into a home depression in the rock and grazing the surrounding area on a predictable schedule. The key caution is that it can scrape coralline algae and may accidentally dislodge or damage frags placed low on the rockwork, so keep small coral frags on elevated frag racks or plugs away from its territory. No supplemental feeding is required in a tank with algae growth, but offering a half sheet of nori clipped near its resting spot will keep it from overgrazing any single area of rockwork.