Marine scientists from the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences have been collecting and relocating sea urchins in an effort to aid coral reef restoration. Sea urchins help prevent invasive algae from overgrowing struggling coral reefs so…
One-millionth sea urchin released in Hawaiian Island waters
Teams from the Anuenue Fisheries Research Center (AFRC) have released the one-millionth juvenile native sea urchin in Kaneohe Bay on Oahu, Hawaii. Since January 2011, the AFRC has successfully spawned and raised Collector Urchins in captivity with the purpose of…
Why Do Urchins Like to ‘Wear’ Corals and Rubble as a Hat?
Owners of some short spined species of urchins such as tuxedos and pincushions may have noticed their spiky echinoderms occasionally sporting an assortment of rubble or coral. We often admired this remarkable phenomenon which looks quite interesting, but as we’ve…
Purple Sea Urchins are hungry; headed for your tank next
Purple Sea Urchins or Strongylocentrotus purpuratus are eating their way through the underwater kelp forests in California and now moving north towards Oregon. A recent count found 350 million purple sea urchins on one Oregon reef alone — more than…
Saltwater Aquarium Clean Up Crew For Beginners
Meet The Clean Up Crew When keeping a saltwater aquarium you have to think about all parts of the mini-ecosystem you are trying to create. Of course, this means planning out your tank size, what equipment you will need, and then…
Tela Of Mystical Beauty
By Quentin Caussin We went to Honduras because we heard about the legendary reef in Tela. And, it turns out that it is far beyond our expectations. Detached from the second largest barrier reef in the world, here are coral…
Bunbu-Kun, anthropomorphic urchins will make you smile
Lurking out on the reefs of the Philippines is the jolliest creature known to man, the ever-ebullient Bunbu-kun. Its permanent countenance of childlike wonder and joy is enough to warm the heart of even the most curmudgeon-y of aquarists, for,…
Ginsburgellus novemlineatus is a cool goby that feels more comfortable living amidst sea urchins
Ginsburgellus novemlineatus, or the nine-line goby, is a beautiful shallow water fish that is often found living in close proximity to sea urchins in the wild. The red-eyed goby is dark brown and decorated with neon blue stripes. The goby…
Sea urchins may be one gigantic eye
It appears sea urchins might just use their entire body as one huge eye. Previous research has shown certain marine invertebrates react to light even without apparent “eyes” leaving scientists to wonder how did they see but new research suggests…
Variegated Sea Urchin is ORA’s 85th captive bred marine species
The variegated sea urchin, Lytechinus variegates, is the latest reef aquarium invertebrate to get the captive breeding treatment from Oceans Reefs & Aquariums. When ORA announces new captive bred fare, it’s usually on the order of a new fish species…
