[Originally posted to the Moorea Coral Reef LTER (MCR LTER) Marine Life Encyclopedia]

Collector Urchin or Decorator Urchin
(Tripneustes gratilla)

Photo by Gerick Bergsma


	Found in the Indian and Western Pacific Oceans, as far east as Hawaii

	Throughout reef flats and lagoons

	Collector Urchins feed on algae by scraping rocks and other hard surfaces with their five teeth.

	Collector urchins cover themselves with algae, rubble and debris, possibly as camouflage.

	Coming Soon - Moorea Biocode Database