ORA Variegated Urchin

Fast Stats

• Care Stage: Reasonable
• Food plan: Herbivore
• Temperament: Peaceable
• Reef-Secure: Sure
• Supply: Captive Bred
• Approximate Buy Dimension: 1-1.5″
• Approximate Max Dimension: 4″
• Advisable Tank Dimension: 30 Gallons or Bigger

Overview

The ORA Variegated Urchin is fastidiously shipped to you with the utmost consideration and premium packaging designed particularly for reside animals, courtesy of our companion, ORA. Licensed by the Mr. Chili Sustainability Alliance, this urchin is sustainably bred with a dedication to distinctive husbandry practices. Moreover, 2% of internet proceeds help Ocean Conservation initiatives.

The Variegated Urchin (Lytechinus variegatus) has been a beloved invertebrate in saltwater aquariums for a number of years. Beforehand bred in captivity for analysis, ORA is now excited to convey these aquacultured urchins to the industrial aquarium trade.

Originating from the tropical waters of the Western Atlantic, the Variegated Sea Urchin sometimes roams shallow seagrass flats and sandy substrates. In your aquarium, these urchins are environment friendly herbivores, actively consuming nuisance algae. It’s essential to supply supplementary macroalgae in case your aquarium lacks pure algae.

Whereas exploring, these urchins exhibit an enchanting “overlaying habits,” utilizing their tube toes to carry onto small rocks, shells, or items of macroalgae for camouflage or UV safety. The ORA Variegated Sea Urchin will undoubtedly be a hardworking and helpful addition to your aquarium.

If you happen to observe a cloudy substance or uncommon habits upon arrival, please do not be alarmed! It is a pure response to transport stress, not an indication of misery. Merely acclimate your urchin as common, and it ought to adapt properly to its new atmosphere.

Word: The picture offered serves as a illustration; the precise animal could range in look.

Aquarium Necessities

Aquarium Dimension

A minimal tank dimension of 30 gallons is really useful for the Variegated Urchin. Bigger tanks supply higher stability and a extra numerous algae provide for grazing.

Habitat Suggestions

Variegated Urchins thrive in well-established tanks with ample reside rock for shelter. Guarantee your aquascape contains safe areas for them to latch onto, as they might carry small gadgets like shells for camouflage.

• Aquascaping: Incorporate loads of reside rock formations for hiding and foraging. Be sure that rock constructions are secure to face up to the urchin’s actions.
• Substrate: Appropriate with a wide range of substrates, these urchins can inhabit sand, crushed coral, and even bare-bottom aquariums.

Water Parameters

Sustaining optimum water circumstances is significant for the well being and longevity of your urchin. Secure parameters promote thriving algae management.

• Temperature: Preserve between 75-78°F with minimal fluctuations (±1°F).
• pH Stage: Appropriate pH vary is 7.7 to eight.5.
• Salinity: Particular gravity ought to be between 1.023-1.026 (27-35ppt); use a refractometer for accuracy.
• Ammonia, Nitrite, and Nitrate: Preserve undetectable ranges of ammonia and nitrite, with nitrates under 20 ppm. Common water adjustments and efficient filtration will help in reaching this.

Food plan

Variegated Urchins are herbivores that primarily feed on algae, together with troublesome varieties like hair algae. They naturally graze on the algae development in your tank, making them wonderful for algae management.

Feeding Frequency

These urchins typically forage day and night time, so further feeding is often pointless in established tanks with ample reside rock. Nonetheless, chances are you’ll want to supply supplementary macroalgae if wanted. If you happen to discover spines falling off, it might point out hunger.

Compatibility

The Variegated Urchin is peaceable and might coexist with a wide range of marine species. Keep away from housing them with potential predators.

Frequent Tank Mates

• Fish: Clownfish, Gobies, Blennies, Cardinalfish, most Wrasse, Firefish, Tangs, Dwarf Angelfish, and different peaceable fish.
• Invertebrates: They’re non-threatening to most invertebrates, making them appropriate with Cleaner Shrimp, Hermit Crabs, Snails, and different urchins.
• Coral: Rated as reef-safe, they are often stored with Comfortable, LPS, or SPS corals.

Behavioral Notes

• Group Conduct: Variegated Urchins can coexist peacefully with different urchins, however a number of people are higher fitted to bigger tanks resulting from their voracious urge for food.
• Macro Algae: Whereas they excel at controlling nuisance algae, remember that they might additionally devour helpful macroalgae. In case you have ornamental macroalgae in your show, think about not including an urchin.
• Camouflage: One in all their most intriguing behaviors is utilizing small objects for camouflage. They may acquire and carry shells, rubble, and even unfastened coral frags on their spines, usually rearranging gadgets in your aquarium as they navigate. This playful habits provides appeal, however regulate worthwhile or delicate gadgets that will find yourself of their assortment.