Tuxedo urchin
Mespilia globulus
InvertebratesSaltwater
- Care level
- Easy
- Temperament
- Peaceful
- Reef safe
- Yes
- Recommended tank
- 150 L
- Maximum size
- 8 cm
- Temperature
- 24–27 °C
- pH
- 8–8.4
- Diet
- Herbivore
Care at a glance
The tuxedo urchin owes its name to the alternation of short spine bands and smooth blue-black fields, giving it a smartly dressed look. It stays considerably smaller than most urchins, which makes it suitable even for a medium-sized reef tank.
It grazes algae off rock and glass day and night, which makes it one of the most useful clean-up crew members you can have. It does like to decorate itself with anything loose: small coral fragments and even bits of decor end up on its back.
Related species
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Values are mainstream hobbyist guidance, not gospel — always watch what your own animals need.