InvertIntermediate care40g minimum
Pincushion urchin reef compatibility check
Lytechinus variegatus
Excellent grazer for mature tanks where frags and rockwork are secured.
Minimum tank
40 gallons
Care level
Intermediate
Reef safety
Caution
Bioload score
0.4
Stocking stage
Middle
Flow need
Varied
Light need
None
Compatibility warnings
- Can bulldoze frags and carry objects.
- Check adult size against the final tank, not the fish or coral at purchase size.
- Add livestock slowly so the bioload and nutrient export can keep up.
- Use the planner when this animal changes the tank-size, flow, lighting, or stocking plan.
Professional planning context
- Use the 40 gallon minimum as an adult-planning floor; display length, aquascape, and existing tankmates can raise that floor.
- This can be planned early after cycling, but only after quarantine/acclimation logistics and stocking order are settled.
- Invert plans should account for copper exposure, acclimation sensitivity, predation risk, and whether the tank can actually feed the animal.
Tank fit and maturity gate
Tank minimum
40 gallons
ReefCrafter uses 40 gallons as the planning floor for adult size, swimming room, nutrient load, and aggression margin.
Maturity gate
No special delay
This species can be planned early when the tank is cycled and the rest of the stocking list is compatible.
Care notes
- Temperament
- Varied
- Reef safety
- Caution
- Adult size
- 4 in
- Placement
- Build dependent
- Diet
- Build dependent
- Flow
- Varied
- Light
- None
- Bioload
- 0.4