{"product_id":"pincushion-urchin-lytechinus-variegatus","title":"Pincushion Urchin (Lytechinus variegatus)","description":"\u003cp\u003eThe Pincushion Urchin is one of the most widely recognized and reliably useful reef cleanup crew animals available in the hobby, and a staple of the Western Atlantic marine trade. Native to the Caribbean Sea and western Atlantic Ocean, \u003cem\u003eL. variegatus\u003c\/em\u003e is typically found in shallow seagrass beds, rocky substrates, and the sandy margins of coral reefs, and it brings the same tireless, methodical grazing approach from those wild habitats directly into the home aquarium. Its round, compact body is covered in hundreds of short, uniform spines that vary in colour from green to purple depending on the individual, and like its urchin relatives it shares the charming habit of picking up shells and rubble to carry as camouflage. It is worth noting that \u003cem\u003eL. variegatus\u003c\/em\u003e is distinct from the Hairy Pincushion Urchin (\u003cem\u003eTripneustes gratilla\u003c\/em\u003e), despite sharing the same common name in the trade; the two species have different origins, spine textures, and colour palettes, and this listing covers the Western Atlantic Pincushion specifically.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eWhy we love it\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eExtremely effective herbivore that rapidly consumes nuisance algae in the home aquarium, making a visible difference in systems with persistent hair algae or film algae problems\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAn active grazer of filamentous and encrusting algae on both rocky surfaces and the substrate, covering different zones in the aquascape over the course of a night's work\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eShort spines make it safer around secured frags and firmly attached corals than longer-spined urchin species\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eShares the endearing covering behaviour, picking up shells, rubble, and algae fragments to carry on its spines\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eCaptive-bred specimens are now commercially available through ORA, offering hobbyists a sustainable, aquacultured option that is significantly hardier and better adapted to aquarium life than wild-caught individuals\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eSuggested parameters\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eTemperature: 24 to 26°C (75 to 79°F)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSalinity: 1.025 to 1.026 SG; sensitive to sudden salinity changes and must be acclimated slowly\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003epH: 8.1 to 8.4\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAlkalinity: 8 to 10 dKH\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eCalcium: 400 to 450 ppm; important for spine and test integrity\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMagnesium: 1250 to 1400 ppm\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eNitrate: will not tolerate high nitrate levels; keep stable and as low as practical\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePhosphate: 0.03 to 0.12 ppm\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eCopper-based medications are immediately fatal to all echinoderms and must never be used\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eCare and temperament\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eDifficulty: Easy to moderate\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eTemperament: Peaceful toward all fish, corals, and most invertebrates\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eReef safe: Yes, with the standard urchin caveat that loose coral frags may be knocked over or picked up and carried while the urchin is grazing; gluing frags and corals firmly in place before introduction is essential\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMinimum tank size: 115 litres (30 gallons); larger systems provide more grazing territory and a more sustainable algae supply\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eA well-established tank with lots of live rock for grazing and hiding is required; this species needs a functioning, mature ecosystem to thrive\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSturdy, stable rockwork is a must as this urchin may topple loose rocks while grazing; secure the aquascape thoroughly before introduction\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eActive both day and night, making it more visible and consistently entertaining than many other cleanup crew urchins\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eDiet\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn the home aquarium these urchins are extremely effective herbivores, rapidly consuming nuisance algae; aquarists must be sure to provide supplementary macroalgae if none is available in the aquarium.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eGrazes naturally on hair algae, film algae, filamentous algae, coralline algae, and biofilm throughout the tank\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eNori sheets weighted down with small rubble or clipped near the rockwork as supplemental feeding\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAlgae wafers and sinking herbivore pellets placed on the rockwork are also accepted\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePlaster-of-Paris feeding stones containing seaweed and algae can help lengthen lifespans in systems where natural benthic algae is minimal\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eA well-established system with healthy algae growth on live rock is ideal; without a consistent food supply this urchin will decline quickly\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eCompatibility and tankmates\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eExcellent with all reef fish, corals, hermit crabs, shrimp, and most ornamental invertebrates\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eTriggerfish and large wrasses will eat these urchins; avoid housing with any known urchin predators\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eCompatible with other cleanup crew members; pairs well with Trochus snails, hermit crabs, and Fighting Conchs to cover different cleaning zones\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMultiple individuals can be kept in larger systems with sufficient algae growth to sustain them\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eHealth and acclimation notes\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eLytechinus variegatus\u003c\/em\u003e is sensitive to rapid changes in salinity and water chemistry. Drip acclimation is essential; slowly add small amounts of aquarium water to the bag every few minutes over at least 45 to 60 minutes before introduction. Poor water quality will cause this urchin to lose all of its spines, which is one of the most visible and reliable signs of serious water quality deterioration; spine loss warrants an immediate parameter check and water change. Regular water changes maintain the trace element and mineral levels that support healthy exoskeleton and spine development. Copper-based medications must never be used in any system housing this or any other echinoderm.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eWhat you are buying\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eYou will receive: 1 Pincushion Urchin (Lytechinus variegatus)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSpine colour is highly variable between individuals and can range from green to purple, pink, white, or mottled combinations of these\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAdult size typically reaches 7 to 10 cm (3 to 4 inches) in diameter under good aquarium conditions\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDrip acclimation of at least 45 to 60 minutes is strongly recommended. All frags and loose aquascape items must be glued firmly in place before introduction. Copper-based medications must never be used in any system housing this animal.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Little Shop of Coral","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":53599175835921,"sku":null,"price":50.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0718\/5196\/6737\/files\/PincushionUrchin.png?v=1779841861","url":"https:\/\/littleshopofcoral.ca\/products\/pincushion-urchin-lytechinus-variegatus","provider":"Little Shop of Coral","version":"1.0","type":"link"}