WHATSTHATFISH
Sea stars & urchins

Black Sea Urchin

Arbacia lixula

Also known as: Black Urchin, Erizo Negro, Long-spined Sea Urchin, Mediterranean Sea Urchin, Sea Hedgehog

Adult
@designedforx · KE, Kenya · October 20171 / 1
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Overview

Found singly, or in large groups, usually in shallow waters, of rocky coastlines.
Widespread Atlantic, Mediterranean

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.

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How to identify

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Habitat & where to find it

  • Range · Atlantic Ocean, Mediterranean
  • Country only · 1
LIVES IN

Found singly, or in large groups, usually in shallow waters, of rocky coastlines.

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Adult photos 1

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Discussion

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    ALL STAGES
    FOR THE MARINE-BIOLOGY CURIOUS

    Deep dive

    Taxonomy

    1. kingdomAnimalia
    2. phylumEchinodermata
    3. classEchinoidea
    4. orderArbacioida
    5. familyArbaciidae
    6. genusArbacia
    7. speciesArbacia lixula (Linnaeus, 1758)

    SourcesWoRMSWikipedia