Species profile
Indo-Pacific Rock-boring Urchin
Echinometra mathaei
At a glance
Indo-Pacific Rock-boring Urchin (Echinometra mathaei) is an echinoderm present across the CatchRules coverage area but without species-specific bag, size, or season rules tracked in our regulatory dataset.
Confirmed by 2,520 research-grade iNaturalist observations, concentrated in Hawaii.
Notable details
- One of the most abundant sea urchins on Indo-Pacific coral reefs.
- Uses its teeth to bore into rock and coral, creating sheltering pits that can gradually weaken reef structure.
- Found from East Africa across the tropical Indo-Pacific to Hawaii.
- Adults typically 4–7 cm in diameter with short reddish-brown to olive spines.
- Its boring activity is a significant driver of natural reef bioerosion.
Where Indo-Pacific Rock-boring Urchin are seen
Background
Echinometra mathaei, the burrowing urchin, is a species of sea urchin in the family Echinometridae. It occurs in shallow waters in the Indo-Pacific region. The type locality is Mauritius.
Background excerpt adapted from Wikipedia's Indo-Pacific Rock-boring Urchin article (CC BY-SA). Visit Wikipedia for the full entry.
Other starfish/urchins/cucumbers on CatchRules
Photo credit: iNaturalist / Wikipedia. Identification reference only — verify regulations with the issuing wildlife agency before retaining a catch.