Name: Needle urchin, needle spined urchin
Scientific Name: Diadema setosum (Leske)
Family: Diadematidae
Group: Sea-stars, sea-urchins and sea-cucumbers
Class: Invertebrates
Size: 26-50 cm.
The needle urchins are distinguished by their notably long spines (they can measure 30 cm!), which shake when disturbed by intruders. These spines, in addition to being sharp, have a toxin capable of causing quite painful inflammations. For this reason, few animals dare to touch them. This attracts the small and narrow shrimpfish to seek shelter from its predators among the spines of the needle urchin.
Photo by:
www.starfish.ch
Oceanário Location
Tropical Indian
