{"id":1109,"date":"2026-02-16T22:39:15","date_gmt":"2026-02-16T22:39:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/aquadistribution.co.uk\/product\/armadillo-sea-urchin-colobocentrotus-sp\/"},"modified":"2026-02-16T22:39:15","modified_gmt":"2026-02-16T22:39:15","slug":"armadillo-sea-urchin-colobocentrotus-sp","status":"publish","type":"product","link":"https:\/\/aquadistribution.co.uk\/?product=armadillo-sea-urchin-colobocentrotus-sp","title":{"rendered":"Armadillo Sea Urchin Colobocentrotus Sp"},"content":{"rendered":"

Armadillo Sea Urchin \u2013 Colobocentrotus sp.<\/em><\/h3>\n

(Also called the Helmet Urchin, Shingle Urchin, or Armored Urchin)<\/em><\/p>\n

Overview:<\/strong>
Unlike typical spiny urchins, the Armadillo Urchin<\/strong> has a smooth, domed shell covered with flattened, tile-like plates<\/strong> rather than sharp spines. These plates interlock like armor, giving it an armadillo-like appearance<\/strong> and making it incredibly resistant to the crashing surf of wave-swept rocky shores. Its strange armored body allows it to cling tightly to rocks<\/strong>, even in areas of strong currents where other urchins cannot survive.<\/p>\n

Origin:<\/strong>
Native to the tropical Indo-Pacific<\/strong>, often found in high-energy, wave-exposed rocky coasts<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

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Feeding:<\/strong><\/p>\n

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    Primarily an algae grazer<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

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    Scrapes microalgae and films<\/strong> off rocks with its strong teeth (Aristotle\u2019s lantern).<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

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    In aquariums, will consume nori, spirulina, and microalgae growth<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

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    Tank Mates:<\/strong><\/p>\n

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      Peaceful<\/strong>, not aggressive toward fish or invertebrates.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

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      Reef safe in terms of not eating corals<\/strong>, but may disturb rockwork or corals while moving<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

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      Aggression Level:<\/strong>
      Peaceful<\/strong> \u2013 fully armored but not predatory.<\/p>\n

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      Experience Level:<\/strong>
      Intermediate.<\/strong> Easier to keep than venomous species like Asthenosoma varium<\/em>, but requires strong water flow and plentiful algae.<\/p>\n

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      Water Parameters:<\/strong><\/p>\n

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        Temperature: 74\u201380\u00b0F (23\u201327\u00b0C)<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/li>\n

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        pH: 8.1\u20138.4<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/li>\n

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        Salinity: 1.023\u20131.025<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/li>\n

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        Tank Size: 75+ gallons<\/strong> (needs lots of rock and grazing space)<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

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        Unique Features:<\/strong><\/p>\n

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          Flattened plate-like \u201cspines\u201d<\/strong> form a shell-like armor.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

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          Often looks like a living rock or seashell<\/strong> when seen from above.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

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          One of the few urchins specialized for extreme wave zones<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

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          Very rare in the aquarium trade due to its specialized habitat.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

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          \u2728 The Armadillo Sea Urchin<\/strong> is one of the most unusual echinoderms<\/strong>, valued for its armored, spiny-free look. It\u2019s more of a collector\u2019s specimen<\/strong> than a common reef inhabitant.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

          Armadillo Sea Urchin \u2013 Colobocentrotus sp. (Also called the Helmet Urchin, Shingle Urchin, or Armored Urchin) Overview:Unlike typical spiny urchins, the Armadillo Urchin has a smooth, domed shell covered with flattened, tile-like plates rather than sharp spines. These plates interlock like armor, giving it an armadillo-like appearance and making it incredibly resistant to the crashing […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"featured_media":1108,"template":"","meta":[],"product_brand":[],"product_cat":[79],"product_tag":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-1109","1":"product","2":"type-product","3":"status-publish","4":"has-post-thumbnail","6":"product_cat-urchins","8":"first","9":"instock","10":"taxable","11":"shipping-taxable","12":"purchasable","13":"product-type-simple"},"group_of_quantity":0,"min_quantity":0,"max_quantity":"","exclude_order_quantity_value_rules":"no","exclude_category_quantity_rules":"no","combine_variations":"no","exclude_global_add_ons":[],"addons":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/aquadistribution.co.uk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/product\/1109","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/aquadistribution.co.uk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/product"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/aquadistribution.co.uk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/product"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/aquadistribution.co.uk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/1108"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/aquadistribution.co.uk\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=1109"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"product_brand","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/aquadistribution.co.uk\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fproduct_brand&post=1109"},{"taxonomy":"product_cat","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/aquadistribution.co.uk\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fproduct_cat&post=1109"},{"taxonomy":"product_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/aquadistribution.co.uk\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fproduct_tag&post=1109"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}