Tuxedo Urchin
(Mespilia globulus)
Please Note: Due to variations within species, your item may not look identical to the image provided. Approximate size range may also vary between individual specimen.
Please Note: Due to variations within species, your item may not look identical to the image provided. Approximate size range may also vary between individual specimen.
Tuxedo Urchin
(Mespilia globulus)
Additional locales and sizes may be available!
Additional locales and sizes may be available! Email me when available
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Quick Stats
Care Level
Easy
Temperament
Peaceful
Color Form
Black, Blue, Red, Tan
Diet
Herbivore
Reef Compatible
Yes
Water Conditions
72-78° F, dKH 8-12, pH 8.1-8.4, sg 1.023-1.025
Max. Size
3"
Family
Temnopleuridae
Minimum Tank Size
20 gallons
Compatibility
View Chart
What do these Quick Stats mean? Click here for more information
Care Level
Easy
Temperament
Peaceful
Color Form
Black, Blue, Red, Tan
Diet
Herbivore
Reef Compatible
Yes
Water Conditions
72-78° F, dKH 8-12, pH 8.1-8.4, sg 1.023-1.025
Max. Size
3"
Family
Temnopleuridae
Minimum Tank Size
20 gallons
Compatibility
View Chart
What do these Quick Stats mean? Click here for more information
Overview
The Blue Tuxedo Urchin, also known as the Sphere Urchin or Globe Urchin, has five to ten broad-colored bands usually blue or black, with red, brown, or dark spines. This very striking combination, gives it the "formal" look and thus the name "Tuxedo Urchin."
During the day, it will hide among the rocks, in crevices, or under plants in a sandy substrate. At night, it will emerge to graze on the algae present in or near its home. The Tuxedo Pincushion Urchin generally roams alone, but several of them could be housed in the same aquarium if it is large enough to provide them with adequate food (algae) and shelter. It is sensitive to high levels of copper-based medications and it will not tolerate high nitrate levels. If it starts to lose a number of spines, it is often due to poor water conditions.
If algae levels are particularly low, its diet will need to be supplemented with dried seaweed.
Approximate Purchase Size: Small 1" to 2" Medium 2" to 3"
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Customer Testimonials
Janis B
Alpharetta , GA
I could not love this Urchin more! Some people don't care for their "carrying" behavior but I find it very comical.
Mason H
Chappaqua , NY
If there was one Urchin I could call handsome and not be lying, it would be the Tuxedo Urchin. They are attractive and safe.
Matthew S
Lewisberry , PA
Extremely safe, also ours will carry small rocks, crabs, and has been strutting around a mushroom for the last 3 months. Very easy to keep.
Michael S
Tallahassee , FL
I love mine. I love the way he collects random things and bits of algae from around my tank. There is nothing funnier than watching him crawl around the tank like a green tumbleweed.
Jeff L
Hickory , NC
Crazy little creature! Loves to "decorate" himself with any and everything including my amonia alert!
Kip
Fairmont , WV
The only problem I have encountered with this animal is that it will sometime consume coralline algae.
Mark H
Lake Havasu City , AZ
Mine is a interesting creature that just mills doing its thing. It is funny to see some days it has a lot of shells stuff to to and other days not so much. A urchin with a lot of character, I find it all over the tank and is very active moving around. The only one draw back that has me concerned about it is that it will eat coraline algae, it has in my 75 gallon tank. I am not sure why this is considering it (the urchin) has more than ample food sources in the tank for it to graze on.
Kristin M
Winston Salem , NC
Easily my favorite in the tank. I don't think he ever sleeps. He motors around the tank all day long eating algae. Fascinating, beautiful animal.
Timothy M
Brackney , PA
My Blue Tuxedo Urchin is a mowing machine! He cruises around the tank, eating hair algae and leaving nothing behind. Just be warned that these guys have a HUGE appetite! You need to have a lot of algae in your tank for it to eat. They are very, very difficult to feed otherwise. You can wrap some nori around a small rock and set it beside the urchin, and it will totally ignore it. So just buy one, and only get a second if you think you have enough algae to feed two of them. Mine is eating a lot more than I ever expected, and I know that if I had bought two they would be dead of starvation by now.
Austin G
Mountain Lakes , ME
My Urchin leaves trails of no algae on the filter covered in marine plants. My Urchin also likes covering himself in sea shells.
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