description Collector Urchin Overview
Collector urchin is the common name for Tripneustes gratilla, a sea urchin of shallow tropical and subtropical Indo Pacific waters. It has a rounded body covered with movable spines and tube feet, and it can hold pieces of algae, shells, or other loose material against its upper surface. This behavior reduces visibility and may provide protection from light or predators. The species is also harvested for food in some regions.
help Collector Urchin FAQ
What is the scientific name of the collector urchin?
The collector urchin is Tripneustes gratilla, a sea urchin found in tropical and subtropical parts of the Indo-Pacific. It is also known in some sources as the Halloween urchin.
Why is Tripneustes gratilla called a collector urchin?
It uses its tube feet, or podia, to hold algae, shells, pebbles, and other loose material on the upper surface of its body. The covering can provide camouflage and protection from strong sunlight in shallow water.
Where does the collector urchin live?
Tripneustes gratilla occurs in shallow tropical habitats such as coral reefs, lagoons, seagrass beds, and algae-rich flats. Its range extends across the Indo-Pacific, including areas from East Africa and the Red Sea to Hawaii and Australia.
What does a collector urchin eat?
It is primarily an herbivore that grazes on algae and seaweed. In aquarium and reef settings, that grazing behavior can make it useful for controlling algae, although it still needs suitable habitat and stable water conditions.
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