Longspine urchin
Diadema setosum
InvertebratesSaltwater
- Care level
- Moderate
- Temperament
- Peaceful
- Reef safe
- Yes
- Recommended tank
- 300 L
- Maximum size
- 25 cm
- Temperature
- 24–27 °C
- pH
- 8–8.4
- Diet
- Herbivore
Care at a glance
The longspine urchin carries extremely long, thin and brittle spines that snap off on contact and stay in the skin; they also contain a mild venom that makes the sting painful. So always work carefully in a tank with this species.
It is an excellent algae grazer, though, scraping even stubborn growth off rock and retreating into crevices by day. Give it a spacious tank with plenty of grown-in rock and make sure all decor stands stably; at its size it will simply push loose pieces over.
Good to know
Related species
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Values are mainstream hobbyist guidance, not gospel — always watch what your own animals need.