Red heart urchin
Meoma ventricosa
(Lamarck, 1816)
Description:
The body of this rather large urchin is flattened, not dome-shaped. It is densely covered with short, pointed spines. The color of the spines is dark reddish brown, but may seem to be lighter because of the coral sand on its back. A five-pointed petal design is present in darker color on its back.
Size: Body up to 18 cm. Spines up to 2 cm.
Habitat:
Burrows in the coral sands during the day. It may also cover itself with debris. Mostly found near the coral reefs.
Depth: ranges from 1 m down to 40 m.
Distribution:
Common all over the Caribbean.