Urchin – Slate Pencil

Slate Pencil Urchin Care Tips:

Minimum Tank Size: 40 Gallons

Max Size: Up to 10cm (4”)

Diet: Herbivore

Temperament: Peaceful

Lifespan: Up to 200 years!

Scientific Name: Heterocentrotus Trigonarius

Other Names: Slate Pencil Urchin, Urchin, Slate Urchin

Coral Safe: Yes

Invertebrate Safe: Yes

The Slate Pencil urchin is a rare predator that is barely seen in the aquarium trade. Their scientific name is Heterocentrotus Trigonarius but it is most often called the slate pencil urchin. The slate pencil urchin is a part of the Echinometridae family. These urchins can grow up to 4” in diameter and can live up to 200 years in ideal conditions. Slate pencil urchins prefer to eat coralline algae but will eat other types of algae as well. Their minimum tank size is 40 gallons. These urchins are considered peaceful and coral and invertebrate safe. Due to the large size and strength of some of these urchins it is recommended to have corals and rocks glued down. Sea urchins are nocturnal which means they prefer to feed during the night, giving them algae rocks in the evening instead of in the morning would be more effective.