Varium Sea Urchin (Asthenosoma varium)

Also known as Electric Sea Urchin, Fire Urchin, Sea Hedgehog, Toxic Fire Sea Urchin, Toxic Sea Urchin

Description

Also known as Electric Sea Urchin, Fire Urchin, Sea Hedgehog, Toxic Fire Sea Urchin, Toxic Sea Urchin.

Found singly or in groups, over rubble and sand bottoms, of coral and rocky reefs. Varies in colour.
They feed on algae and small invertebrates.
Length - 25cm
Depth - 0-45m
Widespread Indo-West 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. (edit) Ref: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Asthenosoma_varium

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