Tank setup
A minimum 80L aquarium suits Tuxedo Urchin. Provide hiding spots and stable water — this species thrives in a well-filtered community setup.
Where to buy
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Overview
What to know before you buy.
The Tuxedo Urchin is a small, attractive, and highly beneficial herbivore. It has a round, dark body (often blue or black) with vibrant, velvety bands, giving it a 'tuxedo' appearance. It is a voracious algae-eater, particularly effective at cleaning film algae from glass and rockwork. It is reef-safe and generally less clumsy than its long-spined cousins. A fascinating and comical behavior is its tendency to 'decorate' itself by picking up and carrying shells, small rocks, and even coral frags on its back, which is thought to be a form of camouflage or sun protection. It is much more desirable than pencil urchins.
Key traits
peaceful
reef safe
small
easy
herbivore
algae eater
Compatibility
Select a tank to see how this species fits.
Care guide
Everything you need to keep Tuxedo Urchin healthy in a South African setup.
Water parameters
Keep pH 8.1–8.4 and 24–27°C. Stable parameters matter more than chasing perfect numbers — acclimate new arrivals slowly.
Feeding
Tuxedo Urchin is herbivore. Feed a varied diet appropriate for invertebrates — quality flakes, pellets, or frozen foods sized to the mouth.
Behaviour
Tuxedo Urchin is generally peaceful. Observe during feeding and at lights-out for true temperament.
Tankmates
Pair with similarly sized peaceful tankmates in invertebrates. Avoid fin-nippers or species that outgrow this fish.
Breeding
Breeding notes for Tuxedo Urchin vary by line and water chemistry — ask your local shop about proven pairs in SA.
Keeping invertebrates?
Invertebrates read water quality more sensitively than fish — condition and test rather than guess.
Availability confirmed with the distributor before dispatch · free delivery over r750
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From hobbyists across SA.
Photo by FishHubAdmin
Market intelligence
Price trends and buyer demand — data only FishHub tracks.
Price tracking started 18 Jul 2026 — chart builds as listings are updated
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