WHATSTHATFISH
Sea stars & urchins

Varium Sea Urchin

Asthenosoma varium

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

VenomousKeep your distance
Adult
@fishx6 · Nudi Retreat - Lembeh Resort - Indonesia, Indonesia · August 20081 / 2
01

Overview

Found singly or in groups, over rubble and sand bottoms, of coral and rocky reefs. Varies in colour.

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.

02

How to identify

Body shape
spikes

Tap any trait to see other fish that share it.

03

Habitat & where to find it

  • Range · Indo-West Pacific
  • Country only · 2
LIVES IN

Found singly or in groups, over rubble and sand bottoms, of coral and rocky reefs.

04

Adult photos 2

05

Discussion

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    ALL STAGES
    FOR THE MARINE-BIOLOGY CURIOUS

    Deep dive

    Taxonomy

    1. kingdomAnimalia
    2. phylumEchinodermata
    3. classEchinoidea
    4. orderEchinothurioida
    5. familyEchinothuriidae
    6. genusAsthenosoma
    7. speciesAsthenosoma varium Grube, 1868

    SourcesWoRMSWikipedia