How big is the Collector urchin?

Collector urchin (Tripneustes gratilla) reaches 10–15 cm in length.

At what depth can you find the Collector urchin?

Collector urchin is found between 0–75 m deep.

What is the conservation status of the Collector urchin?

IUCN status: Least concern (LC).

Where can you find the Collector urchin?

Found in: Asian Pacific, Indian Ocean & Red Sea.

Collector urchin (Tripneustes gratilla)

Key facts

Scientific name: Tripneustes gratilla
Common name: Collector urchin
Category: Echinoderms
Family: Toxopneustidae
Genus: Tripneustes
Size: 10–15 cm
Depth: 0–75 m
IUCN status: Least concern (LC)
Danger level: Harmless
Habitats: seagrass, coral-reef
Behaviours: benthic
Ocean zones: Asian Pacific, Indian Ocean & Red Sea

Description

Tripneustes gratilla reaches 15 cm. Common urchin with rounded white to pink test covered with often red-orange-purple short spines, used to camouflaging by sticking to its test algae pieces, shells, coral debris and even plastic pieces (hence collector). Lives from 0 to 75 m on seagrass, coral reefs and rocky bottoms of entire tropical Indo-Pacific. Listed LC. Key herbivore for seagrass maintenance. Commercial fishery for ovaries (uni).

Photo of Collector urchin

Frequently asked questions

How big is the Collector urchin?: Collector urchin (Tripneustes gratilla) reaches 10–15 cm in length.
At what depth can you find the Collector urchin?: Collector urchin is found between 0–75 m deep.
Is the Collector urchin dangerous to divers?: Danger level: Harmless.
What is the conservation status of the Collector urchin?: IUCN status: Least concern (LC).
Where can you find the Collector urchin?: Found in: Asian Pacific, Indian Ocean & Red Sea.

Other species in the genus Tripneustes

Tripneustes ventricosus - West Indian sea egg

Other species in the family Toxopneustidae

Sources

Taxonomy: WoRMS (AphiaID 212453)
Photos: iNaturalist (CC BY-NC)
Distribution: GBIF (taxonKey 4341500)
Conservation: IUCN Red List
Encyclopedia: Wikipedia