A common herbivore in the Atlantic Ocean, the long-spined urchin mostly feeds on algae growing on coral. In 1983 a massive die-off in the Caribbean Sea from a cause which remains unknown wiped out 97% of the population, resulting in widespread damage to coral reefs from overgrown algae, damaging tourism in many areas. The populations appear to be recovering, though somewhat unevenly.

The urchins are arranged around a branching tube sponge, which are also fairly common in the Caribbean.
Soufrière Scotts Head Marine Reserve, Scott's Head, Commonwealth of Dominica

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Make:	Canon
Model:	Canon PowerShot D20
Exposure:	0.01 sec (1/100)
Aperture:	f/4.5
ISO Speed:	125
Focal Length:	11.6 mm