Elongate Heart Urchin

Scientific Name: Lovenia elongata
Species: Sea Urchins (Clypeasteridae)
Other names: Heart Urchin, Biscuit Urchin, Sand Dollars, Sea Biscuit.

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Elongate Heart Urchin

Uploaded by: @fishx6 in August 2008
Photographed at: lembeh - Indonesia
Caption: No caption available
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View full size / more information

Elongate Heart Urchin

Uploaded by: @fishx6 in August 2008
Photographed at: lembeh - Indonesia
Caption: No caption available
Liked 0 times (like this too)

Description

Also know as Heart Urchin, Biscuit Urchin, Sand Dollars and Sea Biscuit.

Found singly or in vast numbers on sand areas and occasionally on rocky reefs.
They feed on micro organisms in the sand.
Length - 9cm
Depth - 1-90m
Widespread Indo-Pacific

Sea Urchins use tubed feet to get around, often in large impenetrable masses for protection.
Sometimes they hitch a lift on the back of crabs.
They have well developed jaws for grinding their prey.
Their anus is on top in most sea urchins, except the heart urchins where it is at the rear.
Predators of sea urchins are triggerfish and large wrasses, who nibble away at their spines before turning them over to eat the fleshy undersides.
Sea Urchins are highly venomous and can piece through a wet-suit.
Some are sensitive to light and have the ability to shoot venom loaded spines at a short distance.
To be avoided!! (edit)