Tuxedo Urchin

Tuxedo Urchin — Mespilia globulus

The Mespilia globulus Tuxedo Urchin is a small, striking reef invertebrate characterized by its dark body adorned with contrasting white-tipped spines, giving it a “tuxedo” appearance. Slow-moving and peaceful, it grazes continuously on algae, detritus, and biofilm across rockwork and sand, helping maintain a clean and balanced aquarium. Its compact size and unique coloration make it both functional and visually appealing for reef hobbyists.

Tuxedo Urchins thrive in established reef tanks with stable water parameters, moderate water flow, and abundant algae or grazing surfaces. Introduce only to mature systems to ensure sufficient natural food sources. A minimum tank size of 20 gallons is recommended to allow natural roaming and active grazing behavior.

Their diet can be supplemented with algae-based foods from Julian Sprung’s Sea Veggies and finely powdered or pellet foods from San Francisco Bay Brand, Hikari, PE, TDO, and New Life Spectrum to support health and coloration. Target feeding promotes active grazing and vibrant spines.

Approximate product size: 1"–2" (varies by availability)

We maintain a rigorous, veterinarian-approved quarantine program that includes proactive treatments, careful observation, and daily monitoring to ensure the highest standards of invertebrate health. Our biosecurity practices reduce the risk of any cross-contamination between systems, meaning our livestock are ready for your display tan