{"product_id":"blue-tuxedo-urchin-mespilia-globulus-saltwater","title":"Blue Tuxedo Urchin (Mespilia globulus)","description":"\u003cdiv style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif;color:#1a1a1a;max-width:860px;line-height:1.7;\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"background:#FBE9E7;border-left:4px solid #D84315;padding:10px 14px;margin:0 0 14px;font-size:0.95em;\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eIn-store pickup only.\u003c\/strong\u003e Your order is reserved, we hold off on bagging until you arrive so it stays healthy in its display tank.\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe \u003cstrong\u003eBlue Tuxedo Urchin\u003c\/strong\u003e (\u003cem\u003eMespilia globulus\u003c\/em\u003e) is a small, round sea urchin dressed in rows of short spines separated by broad, velvety bands of deep teal blue, the \"tuxedo\" that gives it its name. It spends its days grazing film algae and hair algae off rock and glass, often wearing a little hat of shell bits, rubble, or algae that it picks up and carries around. It stays small, it is peaceful with fish, and it is one of the most charming members of a reef cleanup crew. Browse the rest of our \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/collections\/freshwater-invertebrates\"\u003einvertebrates\u003c\/a\u003e and our \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/collections\/salt-water\"\u003esaltwater livestock and supplies\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"background:#FBE9E7;border-left:4px solid #D84315;padding:10px 14px;margin:14px 0;font-size:0.95em;\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eKnow before you buy:\u003c\/strong\u003e tuxedo urchins pick up whatever is loose. They can carry off or knock over small frags that are not glued down, and they graze coralline algae along with nuisance algae. Glue your frags and it is a great reef grazer.\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"margin:14px 0 4px;font-size:1.05em;font-weight:600;line-height:1.25;border-left:4px solid #D84315;padding-left:8px;\"\u003eCare Guide\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eTank size:\u003c\/strong\u003e 20 gallons or larger, established, with plenty of live rock to graze.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDiet:\u003c\/strong\u003e herbivore. It lives on film algae, hair algae, and biofilm. When the tank runs clean, it starves quietly, so offer dried seaweed on a clip a few times a week.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFrags:\u003c\/strong\u003e glue or firmly seat every frag and loose rock. An unsecured frag plug is fair game to be carried off or tipped over.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWater:\u003c\/strong\u003e 72 to 78°F, salinity 1.023 to 1.026, pH 8.1 to 8.4. Urchins are very sensitive to salinity swings, low oxygen, and any copper, so never dose copper-based medications in its tank.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eAcclimation:\u003c\/strong\u003e slow drip over 45 minutes or more. Invertebrates do not tolerate sudden salinity changes.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eEscape routes:\u003c\/strong\u003e it can climb into overflows and wedge into pump intakes, so cover them.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eHow many:\u003c\/strong\u003e one per 20 to 30 gallons is plenty. More than that and they will run out of algae.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"margin:14px 0 4px;font-size:1.05em;font-weight:600;line-height:1.25;border-left:4px solid #D84315;padding-left:8px;\"\u003eSpecifications\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ctable style=\"border-collapse:collapse;width:100%;max-width:640px;\"\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #FFCCBC;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eScientific name\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #FFCCBC;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cem\u003eMespilia globulus\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #FFCCBC;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCommon names\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #FFCCBC;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eBlue Tuxedo Urchin, Tuxedo Urchin, Blue Pincushion Urchin, Globe Urchin\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #FFCCBC;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFamily\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #FFCCBC;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eTemnopleuridae\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #FFCCBC;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSize at sale\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #FFCCBC;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eSmall (approximate)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #FFCCBC;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAdult size\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #FFCCBC;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eAbout 2 to 3 inches\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #FFCCBC;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCare level\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #FFCCBC;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eBeginner, in an established tank\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #FFCCBC;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTemperament\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #FFCCBC;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003ePeaceful\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #FFCCBC;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eReef safe\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #FFCCBC;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eWith caution, may move loose frags and graze coralline algae\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #FFCCBC;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDiet\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #FFCCBC;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eHerbivore, algae grazer\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #FFCCBC;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMinimum tank\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #FFCCBC;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e20 gallons, established\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #FFCCBC;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTemperature\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #FFCCBC;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e72 to 78°F\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #FFCCBC;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSalinity\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #FFCCBC;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e1.023 to 1.026\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #FFCCBC;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003epH\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #FFCCBC;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e8.1 to 8.4\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #FFCCBC;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOrigin\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #FFCCBC;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eIndo-Pacific, this one from Eastern Asia\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #FFCCBC;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePickup\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #FFCCBC;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eIn-store pickup at Squeaky's Aquatics\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"margin:14px 0 4px;font-size:1.05em;font-weight:600;line-height:1.25;border-left:4px solid #D84315;padding-left:8px;\"\u003eCompatibility\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePeaceful toward fish, shrimp, snails, clams, and corals. It works well alongside the rest of a cleanup crew such as \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/cerith-snails-cerithium-spp-saltwater-cleanup-crew\"\u003eCerith Snails\u003c\/a\u003e, and with other grazers like the \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/purple-pincushion-urchin-salmacis-saltwater\"\u003ePurple Pincushion Urchin\u003c\/a\u003e in a larger tank with enough algae for both. Avoid triggerfish, puffers, large wrasses, and big hermit or arrow crabs, all of which will prey on urchins. In a reef, the only real conflicts are loose frags and coralline algae, so secure your corals and accept a few grazed patches on the rock.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"margin:14px 0 4px;font-size:1.05em;font-weight:600;line-height:1.25;border-left:4px solid #D84315;padding-left:8px;\"\u003eRecommended Foods \u0026amp; Supplies\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/brs-nori-seaweed-sheets-20g\"\u003eBRS Nori Seaweed Sheets\u003c\/a\u003e, a supplemental graze when algae runs low\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/tlf-seaveggies-green-seaweed\"\u003eTwo Little Fishies SeaVeggies Green Seaweed\u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/two-little-fishies-veggiemag-magnetic-seaweed-clip\"\u003eTwo Little Fishies VeggieMag Seaweed Clip\u003c\/a\u003e to hold seaweed low where it can reach\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/salifert-copper-test-kit\"\u003eSalifert Copper Test Kit\u003c\/a\u003e to confirm a tank is copper free before adding inverts\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/saltwater-refractometer-hard-case-atc-salinity-tester\"\u003eSaltwater Refractometer\u003c\/a\u003e for stable salinity\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"margin:14px 0 4px;font-size:1.05em;font-weight:600;line-height:1.25;border-left:4px solid #D84315;padding-left:8px;\"\u003eFAQ\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhy is it carrying shells and rubble around?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eTuxedo urchins hold debris on their spines and tube feet, likely as shade and camouflage. It is normal behavior and one of the most entertaining things about them.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWill it knock over my corals?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eIt can move or tip small frags that are not attached. Glue frags to rock or seat plugs firmly and it will simply graze around them.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDoes it eat coralline algae?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eYes, along with the nuisance algae. Expect some pale grazed patches on the rock over time. Most reefers consider that a fair trade.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAre the spines dangerous?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eNo. The spines are short and not a meaningful hazard to people, though it is still best to handle it gently, underwater, and without squeezing.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat if my tank runs out of algae?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eFeed dried seaweed on a clip a few times a week. A slowly shrinking, spine-dropping urchin is usually a hungry one.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n","brand":"Squeaky's Aquatics","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":49318856949979,"sku":"1595117","price":39.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0767\/5209\/3403\/files\/image-coming-soon-shopify_fa8e5682-4d4b-4836-954b-76a562806639.png?v=1789636154","url":"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/blue-tuxedo-urchin-mespilia-globulus-saltwater","provider":"Squeaky's Aquatics","version":"1.0","type":"link"}