Postcard from the Reef – Fine-Spined Urchin

Fine-Spined Urchin (Leptodiadema purpureum)
Fine-Spined Urchin (Leptodiadema purpureum) in a cave at 30ft depth, Kohala Coast

A pretty urchin found in a cave. Apparently this is the rule for these urchins, found under rock and rubble when small, larger individuals found in caves or deep crevices with an active aversion to light. Most urchins move pretty slowly, the motion barely perceptible. This echinoderm was moving, tube feet furiously propelling it along the cave roof as it tried to avoid our lights.

Author: Andrew

An electrical engineer, amateur astronomer, and diver, living and working on the island of Hawaiʻi.

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