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Little Shop of Coral

Multi Colour Urchin (Tripneustes gratilla)

Multi Colour Urchin (Tripneustes gratilla)

$45.00 CAD
$45.00 CAD
Sale Sold out
Size

The Multi Colour Urchin is a powerful algae grazer and a great addition to reef tanks that need help keeping rockwork clean. It is known for its varied coloration and its habit of wearing “hats” by picking up small shells, algae, or loose items and carrying them around. This urchin is reef safe in most systems, but like all urchins it can knock over frags and may graze on coralline or certain macroalgae if food is limited.

Why we love it

  • One of the best grazers for algae on rockwork and glass

  • Unique “hat wearing” behaviour that is fun to watch

  • Adds a different look and movement to the cleanup crew

  • Great for established reefs with natural algae growth

Care and Compatibility

Care Level: Easy to Moderate
Temperament: Peaceful
Reef Safe: Yes, with caution
Diet: Herbivore
Adult Size: ~3 to 5" (including spines)
Minimum Tank Size: 30 gallons recommended

Ideal Parameters

  • Temperature: 24 to 26 C (75 to 79 F)

  • Salinity: 1.024 to 1.026

  • Stable alkalinity and calcium support spine and body health

Feeding

In most reefs, it will graze naturally, but supplemental feeding is important if the tank is very clean.

  • Film algae and algae on rockwork

  • Dried seaweed (nori) placed on a clip or rubber-banded to a rock

  • Algae wafers or herbivore pellets if needed
    If it runs out of algae, it may start grazing coralline or other desirable growth.

Tank and Setup Notes

  • Secure loose frags and small decor, urchins can bulldoze and carry items

  • Provide stable rockwork, they have strong grip and will climb everywhere

  • Avoid sudden salinity changes, inverts are sensitive to swings

  • Use intake guards on pumps and overflows where possible

Compatibility Tips

  • Safe with corals, but may knock over frags or irritate corals it crawls over

  • Can eat some macroalgae, so use caution in display refugium style tanks

  • Avoid predators like triggers and some puffers that may pick at urchins

  • Works best in established tanks with enough algae to support its appetite

Acclimation and Health

Drip acclimation is recommended. Once settled, this species is usually hardy, but stability is key. Provide algae right away if your tank is very clean.

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LIGHT

LOW: Place coral at the bottom of the tank. Depending on the type, coral may need to be placed off sand and therefore mounted on a ceramic disc of piece of rock.

MEDIUM: Place coral at mid-range of the tank. Best placed/glued on top of a rock scape at mid-range height. 

HIGH: Place coral from mid range to just below water level. SPS coral are shallow growing so they require and are able to tolerate intense light.

FLOW

LOW: Most soft coral do well with a small, gentle pulse. There are certain corals that can even be placed in areas of indirect flow, meaning places aside a rock structure or set into a entrance to a cave style space.

MEDIUM: Many LPS types of coral prefer medium pulse current. Most Euphyllia or corals that have more tissue structure connected to their skeleton, don’t like to be in a high flow area like the direct flow of the wave pump.

HIGH: Similar to high light, SPS enjoy being in some heavy current. Most LPS and SPS that branch encrust or plate prefer high flow that simulates the top water waves.

SKILL

ENTRY: While some may say beginner level, "Entry" is a good term to be used when starting out in the world of corals and marine life. Prior to adding livestock, you want to ensure that your reef has the proper parameters including zero levels of ammonia and nitrite. Seeing traces of nitrate in your waters is a good sign - just keep them at a lower level of 2ppm to 10ppm. Maintaining correct temperature and salinity are a huge factor to stable parameters. Starting to monitor your PH, alkalinity, calcium and magnesium is a great habit to get into to keep a successful reef.

While some soft coral don’t require too much light, having a proper reef light that puts out the proper pars is very important. You'll also want to have a good amount of flow and protected rock areas, as placing corals in their happy spot is ideal for success.

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