Sea-urchin (Echinus esculentus) on rock. Dalnezelenetsky Bay, Lat. 69 07.3 N, Long. 36 04.2 E. Water temp 6C; air temp 6 C; depth 36 meter.




Image ID: fish1785, Fisheries Collection
Location: Barents Sea, Russia
Photo Date: 2002 September 26
Photographer: Yuri A. Zuyev, Hydrometeo. Univ., St. Petersburg


Photo Source:
The NOAA Photo Library http://www.photolib.noaa.gov
The National Oceanic & Atmospheric Adminstration (NOAA) http://www.noaa.gov/


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Echinus esculentus, AKA European edible sea urchin or common sea urchin, is a marine invertebrate species found in coastal areas of western Europe. It inhabits depths of up to 1,200 m and is characterized by its reddish or purplish color with white tubercles. The test (shell) of E. esculentus is rigid, slightly flattened, and divided into five ambulacral areas separated by inter-ambulacral areas. It has a radially symmetrical pattern of holes through which tube feet emerge. These sea urchins feed on algae, encrusting invertebrates, and other organisms.
Order: Camarodonta > Family: Echinidae > Genus: Echinus > Species: Echinus esculentus