- Turn off the lights: Switch off both your aquarium and room lights before opening the box.
- Float the bags: Open the box, remove the individual bags from the liner, and float them in your aquarium for 15-20 minutes. This helps the water in the bags gradually adjust to your tank’s temperature.
- Gradual water mixing: After floating, transfer the contents of the bags into a sterile bucket or container. Add small amounts of your aquarium water every 3-4 minutes, continuing until the water in the container has doubled.
- Dispose and add more water: Once the water level in the container has doubled, dispose of half of it and continue adding your tank water until the water volume in the container has doubled again.
- Acclimated and ready: Your marine life is now properly acclimated and ready to be added to the tank. Be sure to dispose of the packing and acclimation water—never pour it into your tank.
- Observe: Leave the lights off for a while and monitor your new tank mates for any signs of aggression.
Pincushion Urchin
$12.99
A hardy and reef-safe urchin known for its round, spiny body and algae-grazing behavior. It helps control algae growth in saltwater aquariums by consuming various types of algae, including nuisance hair algae. Best suited for tanks with stable rock structures and plenty of space to roam.
20 in stock
Acclimation
Description
Pincushion Urchin
Scientific Name: Lytechinus variegatus
Care Level: Easy
Reef Compatibility: Yes
Minimum Tank Size: 20 gal
Approximate Purchase Size: 2 to 4 inches
Max Size: 6 inches
Food/Feeding: Herbivore
Notes: The Pincushion Urchin has an oval to round body covered with hundreds of uniform spines. Its color can range from red to purple to white and blue.
It requires ample hiding places and sufficient room in which to forage in the home aquarium. It generally hides in caves during the day, though it may make a burrow in thick substrates. At night, it comes out to graze on algae, moving about by its suctorial podia that are aligned in five doubled rows. The aquarium should include large amounts of live rock on which it can graze. It may also prey on some of the sessile invertebrates in the reef system. Rock formations need to be stable and able to withstand the movement of the Urchin wedging itself in crevices. It is generally solitary, but will tolerate others of its own kind. It is sensitive to high levels of copper-based medications and will not tolerate high nitrates. Poor water quality will cause it to lose its spines.
If algae levels are particularly low, its diet will need to be supplemented with dried seaweed.
Shipping Information
Shipping Information
- Confirmed Delivery Date: Orders will only be shipped with a confirmed delivery date to ensure you are available to receive your package.
- Livestock Orders: All livestock are shipped via UPS Overnight Service, typically arriving by 10:30 AM or noon to most locations.
- Dry Goods: Dry goods are shipped via UPS Ground Service and may take 3-5 days in transit.
- Tracking Information: You will receive your UPS tracking number the afternoon before your confirmed delivery date.
- Box Fee: A box fee of $10.99 will be added to all orders.
Heat & Ice Packs: Included as needed for temperature regulation during shipping.
Shipping Rates - Exciting Offers for Florida!
- 1/2 Price Shipping: Available for most Florida zip codes.
- Flat Rate Shipping - Orders Over $79.99:
- $39.99 flat rate for all locations (FL = $19.99)
- Flat Rate Shipping - Orders Over $129.99:
- $29.99 flat rate for all locations (FL = $14.99)
- Flat Rate Shipping - Orders Over $239.99:
- $19.99 flat rate for all locations (FL = $10.99)
Arrive Alive Guarantee (AAG)
If there are any issues with your livestock delivery, please email us within 2 hours of receiving your order with the following details:
- Your name
- Order number
- Description of the item(s)
- A clear photo of the item(s) in the bag
Keep the item(s) separate from others, remove as much water as possible, and begin acclimating them. The livestock may be in a dormant state due to shipping stress and trauma.
After acclimating, send a clear photo of the item(s) outside the bag. If you have multiple items, please include them in one photo.
Please note, shipping and box fees are nonrefundable.
Livestock Quality & Care Standards
