Mespilia globulus

Morphology: It is spherical, with narrow and vertical stripes of spines combined with flexible suction cups that make it possible to move. The spines terminate in his mouth, inside which has a kind of teeth that help him to tear and scrape the vegetable mass of rocks and other places. They can reach a maximum diameter of 7-8 centimeters.

Maintenance: They are very sensitive to the presence of nitrates, deviations of salinity and high temperatures. It requires large amounts of algae, as it is a grazing animal. You should also have enough free space between the rocks to avoid getting trapped between them.

PH: 8.0 - 8.4 °                         Salinity: 1022 to 1026.          Temperature: 24-26 ° C.

Behavior: Your behavior is calm. Is very voracious and therefore it will always wander and treparà by the rocks. When there is any value of the water altered, the temperature too high or food deficiencies, it will be appreciated in its behavior a reduction of the mobility, loss of spines or inability of the suction cups to stay attached to the surfaces.

Food: Mostly based on seaweed, coral algae and calcareous seaweed, although you can also get to eat sponges. The excrements are processed in the form of calcareous sand.

Reproduction: In captivity it is very complicated, since leaks and skimmer are used that don’t allow the eggs to be fertilized.