Echinoidea

The black sea urchin, also called a long-spined sea urchin, is the most abundant and important herbivore on the coral reefs of the western Atlantic and Caribbean basin. When the population of these sea urchins is at a healthy level, they are the main grazers which prevent algae overgrowth of the reef

Front view illustration of a Long Spined Urchin. It is found in the Indo-Pacific region, in dark reef up to 30 ft deep. It is active at night, hiding in crevices or under rocks at night.

Illustration of Lytechinus variegatus (Variegated Sea Urchin)