🟦 Blue Tuxedo Urchin (Mespilia globulus)

✅ Quick Facts:

• Common Name: Blue Tuxedo Urchin

• Scientific Name: Mespilia globulus

• Care Level: Easy

• Temperament: Peaceful

• Reef Safe: ✔️ Yes

• Max Size: ~3 inches (7–8 cm)

• Diet: Primarily algae (including nuisance algae)

🌊 Description:

The Blue Tuxedo Urchin is one of the most popular reef-safe urchins, instantly recognizable by its striking deep blue and black “tuxedo” banding pattern. It’s a small, peaceful grazer that helps keep nuisance algae under control, making it both practical and beautiful in any reef setup.

This species is hardy, active, and will often be seen carrying small shells, rubble, or even bits of algae on its back as camouflage.

🐠 Care & Compatibility:

• Tank Size: 20 gallons or larger

• Water Parameters:

  • Temp: 72–78°F

  • pH: 8.1–8.4

  • Salinity: 1.023–1.026

• Behavior: Peaceful; completely reef safe.

• Caution: Needs a stable reef system with plenty of live rock and algae growth. In tanks low in algae, provide supplemental feeding with dried seaweed (nori).