What urchin is this? Venomous ?

[Turkey head]

Hello, I got a new urchin today. It was sold as a pin cushion but they said not to touch it because it can poke you and the spines can break off and get infected. That makes sense from the looks of it. But, it’s more colorful under my lighting that in the store. Sometimes pretty means venomous. Anyone know what kind it is and if it’s venomous or not?

 

[FishLipz]

Looks like a Red Bell's sea urchin.

 

[KJ]

Agree ^^^

 

[Turkey head]

Yes, it does. Just started to search them. Are they venomous?

 

[KJ]

Are they venomous?

No

 

[Turkey head]

Thanks, I appreciate the ID and information

 

[KJ]

Thanks, I appreciate the ID and information

YW

 

[FishLipz]

I have one. My understanding is they aren’t. That being said, I haven’t tossed him around the tank and tested that info. Lol

 

[James M]

So beautiful, I want one now

 

[FishLipz]

Here’s mine

 

[James M]

How much do they go for ?

 

[FishLipz]

How much do they go for ?

I think I paid like $25-$30 at my LFS

 

[FishLipz]

If you’re feeling adventurous, look for one of these...and yes, this one is venomous. It’s a blue spot urchin. I love inverts.

 

[mark vincent muriel]

If you’re feeling adventurous, look for one of these...and yes, this one is venomous. It’s a blue spot urchin. I love inverts.

isnt that one deadly..?

 

[FishLipz]

isnt that one deadly..?

This is a blue spot (Astropyga radiata) aka the false fire urchin which is actually in my tank. This one has a sting similar to a bad bee sting. The real fire urchin (Asthenosoma varium) is a whole different story. That one can inflict severe stings with pain can last for hours.

 

[mark vincent muriel]

This is a blue spot (Astropyga radiata) aka the false fire urchin which is actually in my tank. This one has a sting similar to a bad bee sting. The real fire urchin (Asthenosoma varium) is a whole different story. That one can inflict severe stings with pain can last for hours.

that is so cool are they harder than pencil sea urchin when it comes to care or they are the same

 

[FishLipz]

that is so cool are they harder than pencil sea urchin when it comes to care or they are the same

Not really. They are omnivores so they will occasionally eat things you may prefer they didn't. Mine has a taste for my purple cespitularia. I've learned to live with it because it's just an amazing creature. I keep a fairly dirty tank by most standards and keep mostly LPS, soft corals and zoos so it's always gotten what it needs from sifting the sand and the random algae (and purple cespitularia) it finds.