Anyone know what kind of urchin this is?

[bimmer88]

Just bought this at the store.... Was told it was reef safe and warned not to touch it because it is venomous and has a potent sting... They told me it was a fire urchin but when i search fire urchins they look a completely differently color.... Just wondering if anyone know what type of urchin this one was and if they have any experience with them. Looks kind of like a tuxedo urchin in this pic but in person it looks a lot different... it's not round, but more flat... kinda like a cookie... it's about 4-5 inches long... picture is of the top side of it...

[Reef264]

Some sort of Pincushion?

[MARINECRITTERS]

looks like a blue tuxedo urchin, Yours looks like it might be missing spines ( may just be the photo ) If it is then you may have high copper levels or a unsteady salinty.

They are poisonous so handle with care, The only way the can sting you is if you jab your finger in it unlike the long spin urchin.

[bimmer88]

pin cushion, tuxedo, and halloween urchins are round.... this one is flat like a cookie... it does have spines but only along the edge and bottom.... the top side has no spines...

[bimmer88]

Here's another image i found of one in another thread... they weren't able to identify it in the other thread either...

<img src="http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=175148&d=1327510394">

[spoonman1979]

It looks like a fire urchin... Are the spines arranged in little squares?

[bimmer88]

here's another picture... not quite sure what you mean by squares.... they're just along the edge and bottom of the urchin... when i google search fire urchin it shows all of them being orange or red... i wasn't able to find a picture that matches this guy...

[MARINECRITTERS]

For sure a species of fire urchin with the newest photo (Asthenosoma varium)

Be extremely careful with these guys as they can inflict serious pain, if i understand correctly even death.

Cool find that specimen is quite rare.

[spoonman1979]

I recognize how the spines are arranged and how the spines fluoresce blue, definitely fire urchin. The color could come when he matures, but thats just a guess...

[Fretfreak13]

Beautiful. Please wear gloves when playing with your tank now o.e