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Photo of a Atlantic Long-spined Sea Urchin

Species profile

Atlantic Long-spined Sea Urchin

Diadema antillarum

Starfish/urchins/cucumbers3.0K iNat observations

At a glance

Atlantic Long-spined Sea Urchin (Diadema antillarum) is an echinoderm with specific harvest rules tracked in 1 of 66 jurisdictions covered by CatchRules.

Confirmed by 276 research-grade iNaturalist observations, concentrated in Florida.

Notable details

  • Its spines can reach up to 30 cm (about 1 foot) long — among the longest of any sea urchin species.
  • A 1983 disease outbreak killed over 93% of the entire Caribbean population within a single year.
  • Strictly nocturnal: it hides in reef crevices by day and grazes on algae through the night.
  • After the 1983 die-off, unchecked algae growth smothered large expanses of Caribbean coral reef.
  • Hollow spines break off easily in skin and carry a mild venom, making accidental contact painful.

Where Atlantic Long-spined Sea Urchin are seen

Background

Diadema antillarum, also known as the lime urchin, black sea urchin, Grabaskey's bane or the long-spined sea urchin, is a species of sea urchin in the Family Diadematidae.

Background excerpt adapted from Wikipedia's Atlantic Long-spined Sea Urchin article (CC BY-SA). Visit Wikipedia for the full entry.

Photo credit: iNaturalist / Wikipedia. Identification reference only — verify regulations with the issuing wildlife agency before retaining a catch.