Eucidaris metularia

(Lamarck, 1816)

Ten-lined Urchin

Range: Indo-West Pacific Ocean: Red Sea to Australia.

Size: 4 inches (10 cm)

Natural Environment: Inhabits seagrass beds and back-reef lagoons and usually seen under rocks and in crevices.

General Husbandry: Rarely seen in the home aquarium trade.

Best maintained in well-aged, aquariums having formations containing algae films/organic films and detritus collections.

Since this species feeds upon algae, sponges and small invertebrate, caution is advised as it may try to consume small clams, tubeworms, snails and other small invertebrates.

Occasional feedings with algae pellets and small pieces of fish or mussel flesh is recommended.

Taxonomy:

Kingdom: Animalia

Phylum: Echinodermata

Class: Echinoides

Order: Cidaroida

Family: Cidaridae

Genus: Eucidaris

FYI: Vulnerable to sudden salinity/specific gravity changes.

Triggerfish and large wrasses will eat these urchins.

Experience Level: Intermediate

Diet: Omnivore

Aquarium Environment: Reef or fish-only aquarium

Coral Safe: Yes

Fish Safe: Yes

Invertebrate Safe: With caution

Acclimation Time: Sensitive to specific gravity/salinity changes, therefore be sure to adjust the bag's water to that of the aquarium in which it will be placed by slowly adding small amounts of aquarium water to the bag every few minutes. In most cases, this process should take at least 15 minutes.

Aquarium Hardiness: Moderate

Temperature Range: 72 - 83°F (22 - 28°C)

Minimum Tank Size: 60 gallons

Specific Gravity: 1.023 - 1.025

pH: 8.0 - 8.4