WHATSTHATFISH
Sea stars & urchins

Prostrate Urchin

Clypeaster prostratus

Also known as: Biscuit Urchin, Cake Urchin, Heart Urchin, Sand Dollar, Sea Biscuit, Sea Hedgehog

Adult
@fishx6 · Lembeh, Indonesia · August 20081 / 4
01

Overview

Found singly or in vast numbers, during the day buried, partially buried, or on the sand in shallow areas, of coral and rocky reefs.
They feed nocturnally on micro organisms in the sand.

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.

02

How to identify

COLOURS
Body shape
biscuit

Tap any trait to see other fish that share it.

03

Habitat & where to find it

  • Range · Worldwide
  • Country only · 4
LIVES IN

Found singly or in vast numbers, during the day buried, partially buried, or on the sand in shallow areas, of coral and rocky reefs.

04

Adult photos 4

05

Discussion

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    ALL STAGES
    FOR THE MARINE-BIOLOGY CURIOUS

    Deep dive

    Taxonomy

    1. kingdomAnimalia
    2. phylumEchinodermata
    3. classEchinoidea
    4. orderClypeasteroida
    5. familyClypeasteridae
    6. genusClypeaster
    7. speciesClypeaster prostratus Ravenel, 1848

    SourcesWoRMSWikipedia

    06

    More in the family

    Clypeasteroida