🟠 Tripneustes gratilla – Collector Urchin (Halloween Urchin)

🔹 Quick Facts

• Common Names: Collector Urchin, Halloween Urchin, Pincushion Urchin

• Scientific Name: Tripneustes gratilla

• Care Level: Easy to Moderate

• Reef Safe: ✅ Yes (but may move loose frags or rocks)

• Diet: Herbivore – eats algae, detritus, and sea grass

• Size: Up to 4–6 inches (10–15 cm)

• Temperament: Peaceful

🐚 Why Reefers Love Them

The Collector Urchin is one of the best natural algae cleaners you can add to your reef system. Known for their bold orange and black “Halloween” look, they keep rocks, glass, and sand free of nuisance algae. They’re completely reef safe, but they are strong movers—so make sure corals and frags are secured.

🐠 Care Requirements

• Tank Size: 40 gallons or more

• Water Conditions:

  • Temp: 74–78°F

  • Salinity: 1.024–1.026

  • pH: 8.1–8.4

• Needs a mature tank with plenty of live rock and natural algae growth.

• Sensitive to sudden changes—slow drip acclimation is a must.

🍃 Feeding

• Naturally grazes algae all day.

• Can be supplemented with nori sheets or small pieces of algae-based food if your tank is very clean.