Long-spined sea urchin

Description:

The Black Longspine Urchin, also known as Long-spined Sea Urchin, has a body which is predominately black with a red eyespot in the center. The spines on these urchins are long, thin and completely black. They like ample hiding places and room to roam if placed in an aquarium. Being a nocturnal creature, it will hide during the day and only come out at night to forage for food such as algae and seaweed. When approached by a fish, these urchins will sense their presence, and will defend itself by directing its spines towards its offender. This sea urchin is venomous, with its sting being roughly equivalent to that of a bee sting.

Habitat:

This lone-spined sea urchin lives in captivity at the National Aquarium in Baltimore, Maryland.