Phyllacanthus imperialis

Phyllacanthus imperialis Lamarck, 1816
Lance urchin

photo by Bos, Arthur

Family:	Cidaridae ()
Max. size:	7 cm WD (male/unsexed)
Environment:	reef-associated; marine; depth range 0 - 73 m
Distribution:	Indo-West Pacific: East Africa and the Red Sea to Australia and Japan.
Diagnosis:
Biology:	Maximum primary spine length: 8.0 cm. Inhabits shallow reef areas at depths of 0 to 15 m. Hides in holes or under corals at day time (Ref. 800); and burrows in coral rock (Refs. 81254, 129602). Feeds on algae and small invertebrates (Ref. 800). Associated with coral communities. Nocturnal. Feeds on encrusting organisms (Ref. 129602).
IUCN Red List Status:	Not Evaluated (N.E.) Ref. 123251)
Threat to humans:	harmless
Country info:

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