Pincushion Urchin (Lytechinus variegatus)
Pincushion Urchin (Lytechinus variegatus)
Lytechinus variegatus is basically the urchin version of witness protection — it grabs shell fragments, algae, and whatever debris is lying around with its tube feet and piles it on top of its test, camouflaging itself from predators and UV exposure alike. Short, dense spines cover a body that runs from green to white to the deeper purple sold here, and it grazes algae off rock and glass around the clock with no regard for lights-on or lights-off. A solid reef cleanup pick, though it will occasionally bulldoze a frag while foraging.
Care level: Easy · Temperament: Peaceful · Max size: ~4" body · Min tank: 30 gal · Reef safe: With caution (may knock over frags) · Diet: Herbivore, algae
At a glance
- Scientific name
- Lytechinus variegatus
- Common name
- Pincushion Urchin
- Water type
- Saltwater
- Care level
- Easy
- Temperament
- Peaceful
- Max size
- ~4" body
- Minimum tank
- 30 gal
- Diet
- Herbivore, algae
- Reef safe
- With caution (may knock over frags)
When it ships
Most non-quarantined stock goes out the week you order. If we do not already have the animal in-house we source it first — allow up to two weeks for it to reach us. Live animals leave Monday and Tuesday, and Early AM Overnight is the only service that carries a live arrival guarantee.
The live guarantee
Shipped Early AM Overnight: a 1-hour DOA window from confirmed delivery, and nothing beyond it. Next Day Air and 2-Day carry no live arrival guarantee, and neither does USPS Priority. Local pickup or local delivery: 24 hours, if you bring a water sample from your aquarium and we test it before the animal goes home. Maintenance clients: 60 days when we service the aquarium at least twice a month, 28 days on a monthly plan.
Expert guidance
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