Paracentrotus lividus is a globular sea urchin of up to 7 cm in diameter. Spines
are long (3 cm), thick and smooth. Its colour is variable: violet, green or brown. Rock sea urchin
is an edible species living on stones, calcareous algae or rocks, often self-covered by shell
remains, or algae. According to bedrock nature, wether it is soft or not, rock sea urchin may bore,
with its spines, a hole large enough to hide in during day-time. Especially active at night,
it mainly feeds on red algae. It may live in groups in rock pools but also down to 30 m deep.
It is found in the Atlantic Ocean up to West Ireland, rarer in the English Channel, and in the
Mediterranean Sea.
(source : European Register of Marine Species)
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Top photograph :
© Wilfried Bay-Nouailhat. Published with author's kind permission :
Paracentrotus lividus,
Illes Medes, Costa Brava, East of Spain. Depth 8 meters.
Text : Anne Bay-Nouailhat © 2005-2019.
Translation : Anne Bay-Nouailhat © 2007-2019.