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Long Spine Urchin, Diadema setosum, is a found on several reefs of the Indo Pacific region. This pincushion on legs is easy to keep happy from a dietary point of view. The urchin will primarily feed on algae (including coralline) and pieces of uneaten food. It has also been reported that this Urchin will also consume some hard and soft corals. The orange 'eye' that is used in the common description of this animal, is in fact the last stop on the urchin's digestive tract. Several animals have developed symbiotic relationships with this Urchin. Cardinalfish Apogon sp. will hover between the defensive spines during the day, moving outwards only at night to hunt. Sally Lightfoot Crabs will crawl beneath the urchin for the same protection offered by the spines.
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