The Pencil Urchin "Mine or Club" Urchin

The GREAT Pencil Urchin!

Minimum Tank Size: 30 gallons

Care Level: Moderate

Temperament: Peaceful

Reef Compatible: No

Water Conditions: 72-78° F, dKH 8-12, pH 8.1-8.4, sg 1.023-1.025

Max. Size: 5" - 10"

Color Form: Black, Red, Tan, White

Diet: Omnivore

Origin: Caribbean, Philippines, Indo Pacific

Family: Cidaridae  or Diadema sp.

 

The Pencil Urchin of the Eucidaris genera is also known as the Mine or Club Urchin. It has a brown, sometimes mottled body with stubby, thick spines radiating out in all directions. The spines are surrounded by basal plates. Never try to pry it out of a hole, as you will break its spines before it lets go. As it ages, its spines may become covered with coralline and other types of algae.

During the day it will seek shelter in the rocks; at night it will come out and forage for food, looking particularly for algae lawns and smaller invertebrates like sea squirts or sponges. It can be destructive to corals. It requires an aquarium with multiple hiding places and live rock on which it can graze. The rock formations should be sturdy, since the Urchin could dislodge rocks as it moves around the tank. The Pencil Urchin is very sensitive to high levels of copper-based medications and will not tolerate high levels of nitrates. If water conditions are poor, it will shed its spines.

It is extremely difficult to breed in an aquarium and has no distinguishing characteristics to help differentiate it from its mate.

It should be offered dried seaweed and some animal-based supplemental foods.

This urchin has no problems being housed with more aggressive fish.  Drip acclimation is highly recommended. 



The Pencil Urchin will spend most of the day in the shelter of the live rock or reef; however, at night it will come out and forage for food, looking particularly for algae covered areas and smaller invertebrates like sea squirts or sponges. It can be destructive to some corals and the rock formations should be sturdy, since the Urchin can dislodge rocks as it moves around the tank, thus this species will not be suitable for all reef aquariums. It requires an aquarium with multiple hiding places and live rock on which it can graze and seek shelter. The Pencil Urchin is very sensitive to high levels of copper-based medications and will not tolerate high levels of nitrates. If water conditions are poor, it will shed its spines.