Tripneustes ventricosus

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Facts
Latin name Tripneustes ventricosus
Local name Sea egg
Family Echinoidea - Tripneustes
Origin The Mexican Golf, West Atlantic
Max length 10 cm (3.9")
As aquarium fish
Minimum volume 400 l (106 gal)
Hardiness Average
Suitable for aquarium Suitable with care
Reef safe Often reef safe
Aggressiveness Peaceful
Feed
Recommended Macroalgea (Eg. seaweed / nori)
Microalgea (Eg. spirulina)
Beware of
Rearranges rocks etc.

This species like to move rocks and sometimes corals in the search for food.

Overturns corals

This species will overturn pieces of corals and corals which are not fully attached. 

Descriptions and further reading
Description

These Sea Urchins require a larger area with sand and coralline algae to thrive in the aquarium. 

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

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)