Echinothrix calamaris

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Facts
Latin name Echinothrix calamaris
Local name Banded sea urchin
Family Echinoidea - Echinothrix
Origin East Indian Ocean, West Indian Ocean, Australia, The Red Sea, Indonesia, Central/West Pacific
Max length 15 cm (5.9")
As aquarium fish
Minimum volume 400 l (106 gal)
Hardiness Average
Suitable for aquarium Suitable for most aquarium
Reef safe Always reef safe
Aggressiveness Peaceful
Feed
Recommended Macroalgea (Eg. seaweed / nori)
Microalgea (Eg. spirulina)
Keep in mind
Hiding places

This species needs good hiding places, for example, between live rocks.

Nocturnal

This species is nocturnal and therefore the most active when the light is dimmed or turned off.

Effective algae-eaters

This species can eat large amounts of algae (relative to their size) from rocks, like green hair algae and filamentous algae.

As it doesn’t eat every algae type, in case of a specific algae plague, find out more precise information.

Descriptions and further reading
Family description (Echinoidea)

Sea urchins are often used to keep various algae at bay. 

They are very effective algae eaters, and will eat anything from coralline algae to green hair algae.
Sea urchins must not be kept in an aquarium with few algae, as they may starve to death. 

Sea urchins should be acclimatized slowly, due to sensitivity towards changes in salinity.

References and further reading

About references

Echinothrix calamaris - Wikipedia - (English)

Ronald L. Shimek. 2004. Marine Invertebrates (PocketExpert Guide) - TFH Publications / Microcosm Ltd. - (English)
Ronald L. Shimek. 2003. Sea Urchins, A Testy Subject - Reefkeeping Magazine - (English)
Bob Fenner. Some Spines Now! Sea Urchins (and Sand Dollars), the Echinoids, Pt. 1, Pt. 2 - Wet Web Media - (English)