{"product_id":"ora-aquacultured-variegated-urchin-lytechinus-variegatus","title":"ORA Aquacultured Variegated Urchin (Lytechinus variegatus)","description":"\u003ch2 class=\"PDq2pG_selectionAnchorContainer\"\u003eORA Aquacultured Variegated Urchin (Lytechinus variegatus)\u003cspan class=\"PDq2pG_selectionAnchor\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAdd a hardworking and fascinating grazer to your reef with the \u003cstrong\u003eORA Aquacultured Variegated Urchin\u003c\/strong\u003e. Also considered a type of pincushion urchin, \u003cem\u003eLytechinus variegatus\u003c\/em\u003e is an effective herbivore that spends its time roaming rockwork and aquarium surfaces in search of nuisance algae. ORA notes that supplemental macroalgae should be provided when the aquarium does not contain enough natural algae to support its grazing. \u003cspan class=\"\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNative to tropical waters of the Western Atlantic, Variegated Urchins naturally inhabit shallow seagrass flats and sandy environments. Their useful grazing behavior and unusual appearance make them an interesting addition to established marine and reef aquariums. \u003cspan class=\"\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eCare Information\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eScientific Name:\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003cem\u003eLytechinus variegatus\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCommon Name:\u003c\/strong\u003e Variegated Urchin\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eType:\u003c\/strong\u003e Pincushion Urchin\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAquaculture:\u003c\/strong\u003e Aquacultured\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBreeder:\u003c\/strong\u003e ORA\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eApproximate Purchase Size:\u003c\/strong\u003e 1–2 Inches\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMaximum Size:\u003c\/strong\u003e Approximately 4 Inches\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCare Level:\u003c\/strong\u003e Moderate\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTemperament:\u003c\/strong\u003e Peaceful\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDiet:\u003c\/strong\u003e Herbivore\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eReef Safe:\u003c\/strong\u003e Yes\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eRecommended Tank Size:\u003c\/strong\u003e 30 Gallons or Larger \u003cspan class=\"\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eNatural Algae Grazer\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eVariegated Urchins are active herbivores that can help control nuisance algae throughout an established aquarium.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIf natural algae becomes limited, supplement their diet with appropriate marine algae or macroalgae to ensure they continue receiving adequate nutrition. \u003cspan class=\"\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eUnique Covering Behavior\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOne of the coolest things about these guys is their habit of picking up and carrying objects with their tube feet. Small shells, rocks, pieces of macroalgae, and other loose material may end up riding around the aquarium on top of your urchin. ORA notes that this behavior may provide camouflage or protection from UV exposure. \u003cspan class=\"\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBecause of this behavior and their grazing, \u003cstrong\u003esecure loose coral frags and unstable decorations\u003c\/strong\u003e before introducing an urchin.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eAquarium Care\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eProvide an established saltwater aquarium with stable water parameters, plenty of grazing surfaces, and sufficient algae or supplemental food.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eLike other marine invertebrates, urchins should be carefully acclimated and should not be exposed to copper-based medications.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eAquacultured by ORA\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThese Variegated Urchins are \u003cstrong\u003eaquacultured by ORA\u003c\/strong\u003e, which has commercially produced \u003cem\u003eLytechinus variegatus\u003c\/em\u003e for the aquarium industry. \u003cspan class=\"\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThis listing is for ONE Variegated Urchin.\u003c\/strong\u003e Coloration and appearance naturally vary, and product photos may show examples rather than the exact individual received. The supplier lists the approximate purchase size as \u003cstrong\u003e1–2 inches\u003c\/strong\u003e. \u003cspan class=\"\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eLive Animal Shipping\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eLive invertebrates ship \u003cstrong\u003eMonday, Tuesday, and Wednesday via Priority Overnight\u003c\/strong\u003e in insulated packaging with appropriate temperature-control materials.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA flat \u003cstrong\u003e$39.99 Live Animal Priority Overnight Shipping fee\u003c\/strong\u003e applies to all live animal orders regardless of order value.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eShipping may be delayed due to severe weather, extreme temperatures, holidays, carrier disruptions, or other conditions that could compromise animal safety.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eArrive Alive Guarantee\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eEligible livestock is protected by our \u003cstrong\u003eArrive Alive Guarantee\u003c\/strong\u003e. Any DOA must be reported with clear photographs within \u003cstrong\u003e12 hours of carrier-confirmed delivery\u003c\/strong\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePlease review our complete Live Animal Shipping \u0026amp; Arrival Guarantee before ordering.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"SWA","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":53226987487541,"sku":null,"price":19.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0964\/2252\/7285\/files\/ORA-urchin4_copy__05752.jpg?v=1785374944","url":"https:\/\/infinityandbeyondaquatics.com\/products\/ora-aquacultured-variegated-urchin-lytechinus-variegatus","provider":"Infinity and Beyond Aquatics ","version":"1.0","type":"link"}