Urchins

West Coast

Scientific name common name season found temperature
Stronglyocentrotus purpuratus purple sea urchin
(1" to 4")
late Nov to June inter-tidal to sub 10-15 °C
Stronglyocentrotus franciscanus red sea urchin
(3" to 8")
late Nov to June low inter-tidal to sub 10-15 °C
Lytichinus pictus white sea urchin
(3/4" to 1½")
May to Sept. sub-tidal 12-20 °C

East Coast

Scientific name common name season found temperature
Arbacia punctulata purple sea urchin
(1" to 1½")
June to August sub-tidal? 15-25 °C
Stronglyocentrotus drobachiensis green sea urchin
(1-3")
November to March sub-tidal? ?

Gulf Coast

Scientific name common name season found temperature
Arbacia punctulata purple sea urchin
(1" to 1 ½")
June to August sub-tidal? 15-25 °C

 Tip: L. pictus (west) and A. punctulata (east) are used to warmer temperatures. These species will develop at normal room temperature and are very useful when you do not have an incubator or way of keeping the cultures cool.

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