URCHIN – PENCIL Eucidaris tribuloides

$39.99

The Pencil Urchin, sometimes called the Mine Urchin, has a brown body covered with thick, stubby spines. On average, Pencil urchins reach a size of 5″. The Pencil urchin will control hair algae in an aquarium, but it is not as efficient compared to other urchin species. More of a nocturnal animal, the Pencil urchin will seldom be seen moving about during the day. The Pencil urchin is safe to handle.

1 in stock

Description

Care Level: Easy

Temperament: Peaceful

Reef Compatible: With Caution

General Description: The Pencil Urchin, sometimes called the Mine Urchin, has a brown body covered with thick, stubby spines. On average, Pencil urchins reach a size of 5″. The Pencil urchin will control hair algae in an aquarium, but it is not as efficient compared to other urchin species. More of a nocturnal animal, the Pencil urchin will seldom be seen moving about during the day. The Pencil urchin is safe to handle.

Diet Requirements: Pencil urchins are omnivores. While they will seek out and consume mats of algae, they also appreciate supplements of various frozen foods. If insufficient algae is present, we recommend offering sheet algae at least once a week.

Tank Requirements: An established, minimum aquarium size of 30 gallons is recommended to house a Pencil urchin. Maintaining stable water parameters is a component to the success of keeping this invertebrate; urchins are intolerable of high nitrates and shedding of its spines is a sign of poor water quality. Generous live rock with some crevices will mimic the Pencil urchin’s natural environment and give it ample places to forage. The Pencil urchin is added “with caution” to a reef aquarium as it has been reported to consume corals, decorative coralline algae, or macroalgae if insufficient food is present. With that said, loose live rock or corals can be accidentally knocked over by the Pencil urchin as it moves around. It is imperative to take time acclimating a Pencil urchin; we suggest via drip acclimation. Recommended water conditions: 76-78° F, dKH 8-12, pH 8.1-8.4, salinity 1.024-1.026.

Purchase Size: Small: 1″ to 2″; Medium: 2″ to 3″; Large: 3″ to 4″

Note: Your item may not look identical to the image provided due to variation within species. Purchase size is approximate.

Shipping & Delivery

Dry goods orders are shipped via US Postal Service or UPS to the address provided at checkout based on the selection made in your website shopping cart. Product is carefully packed to help prevent any damage during shipping. Once processed you will receive a shipment notification via email with tracking number, and delivery notification. Please allow 48 hours for processing after your order is placed.

Perishable items (i.e. live plants, refrigerated/frozen foods) are shipped via US Postal Service 2-3 day to the address provided at checkout for a $25.00 flat rate charge. Items are packed with secure packing material and heat, cold, or Cryo packs as needed to maintain safe temperatures during transit. If one or more perishable items are in the shopping cart at checkout the $25.00 perishable shipping charge will automatically appear and need to be selected. Once processed you will receive a shipment notification via email with tracking number. Please allow 48 hours for processing after your order is placed.

Livestock (i.e. fish, invertebrates, coral) are shipped via UPS Overnight to the address provided at checkout for a $55.00 flat rate charge. Livestock is packed in insulated styrofoam boxes with secure packing material and heat, cold, or Cryo packs as needed to maintain safe temperatures during transit. If one or more livestock items are in the shopping cart at checkout the $55.00 livestock shipping charge will automatically appear and need to be selected. Livestock is shipped Monday through Wednesday ONLY (no weekend delivery is available) weather permitting, and we reserve the right to delay shipping until conditions are appropriate for safe arrival. Once your order is placed we will contact you to arrange the best shipping date based on these criteria. Someone must be available to receive the livestock order on the first delivery attempt. Once processed you will receive a shipment notification via email with tracking number. Please allow 48 hours for processing after your order is placed.

For mixed dry goods/perishable & livestock orders items will be shipped via their corresponding shipping methods outlined above. Dry goods will be shipped via US Postal Service or UPS based on your selection and checkout, while livestock will ship via UPS Overnight for a $55.00 flat rate charge. You will receive separate notifications and tracking numbers for the dry goods and livestock. Please note due to different carriers and shipping methods dry goods and livestock may arrive on different days.