Collector Urchin

Tripneustes gratilla, the Collector Urchin, is a fascinating sea urchin known for its behavior of picking up and carrying shells, rubble, algae, and other debris as natural camouflage. It is a powerful algae grazer capable of clearing significant amounts of hair algae and macroalgae quickly. Its engaging camouflage behavior and attractive reddish-orange coloration make it a popular display species.

Provide ample open rock and substrate area for foraging. Ensure stable water chemistry — urchins are sensitive to sudden salinity and pH swings. Acclimate slowly using the drip method. Their powerful grazing can also remove desirable macroalgae and coralline; monitor in a reef aquarium. Do not house with fish known to bite urchin spines such as triggers and puffers.