Rock boring urchin?

[Doug6952]

Was looking at the live rock in my sump from TBS tonight and found a very small urchin on a piece of rock. It's redish brown and kind of looks like some lighter colored stripes across its spines. It doesn't seem to have spines on top. Spines look to be more just on the side.
I tried googling for urchins from the gulf, but didn't come across any that looked the same.

 

[fishguy242]

hi, yep and a purple to boot, nice bonus... :)

 

[Rickybobby]

thats awesome great find

 

[Unitylover]

looks nice, you could put it in your display tank if you want.

 

[Doug6952]

I could swear I've seen an urchin with similar coloration and shape. Just can't think of where or when.
Could've been back in the early 90s when I worked for a wholesaler and LFS. Or maybe saw it in another LFS?
I'll keep searching for species info.

 

[Doug6952]

Here is a better shot of the urchin.

 

[Rtaylor]

Going to be hard to say till it’s bigger, pencil urchins have banded spines, even long spines can, could also be Echnometra viridis

 

[monkeyCmonkeyDo]

Liveaquaria had some kool urchins in divers den I think it was
D

 

[Dustbunny]

Did you figure out what kind of urchin it was? I found 2 of these in on my live rock. One the size of the top of a pencil eraser and another twice as big. The tank is only 3 gallons I would love to know if I need to start planning a new home for them.

 

[Gumbies R Us]

Did you figure out what kind of urchin it was? I found 2 of these in on my live rock. One the size of the top of a pencil eraser and another twice as big. The tank is only 3 gallons I would love to know if I need to start planning a new home for them.

Do you have a photo of them?

 

[LiverockRocks Verified Sponsor]

Was looking at the live rock in my sump from TBS tonight and found a very small urchin on a piece of rock. It's redish brown and kind of looks like some lighter colored stripes across its spines. It doesn't seem to have spines on top. Spines look to be more just on the side.
I tried googling for urchins from the gulf, but didn't come across any that looked the same.

Tis the season for baby purple spine urchins. They look like tiny burs. Reef safe hikers, enjoy!
Purple Spine Urchins HERE

 

[Dustbunny]

I got a video of it. It is pretty cool looking. They will definitely have to go though so they don't eat all my macroalgae.