Toxopneustes pileolus is one of four species in the genus Toxopneustes, family Toxopneustidae in the order Camarodonta. This species usually inhabits coral reefs, seagrass beds, rocky or sandy environments at depths of up to 90 m. They eat algae, moss, and organic detritus, and are found in abundance in the Indian Ocean and the Western Pacific Ocean.

Sea urchin flowers are usually white, pinkish white, yellowish white with a few purple dots in the middle. They have round, hard shells, dark red or gray, sometimes green to light purple but rarely seen.

The outer shell is made up of short, blunt spines, often hidden beneath flower-like stalks, called valves. Each valve is an organ that affects its own set of muscles, neurons and sensory receptors and is therefore capable of responding reflexively to the surrounding environment.

Flowering sea urchins are relatively large sea urchins. They can reach a maximum diameter of about 15 – 20 cm. Like most urchins, the body of the adult flowering sea urchin is divided evenly into identical segments around a central axis in multiples of five (pentagonal symmetry).

The basal surface (mouth) of the flowering sea urchin has spines, tube feet, and the mouth has a chewing apparatus (Aristotle’s lantern). Tube feet are individually made up of a thin muscle body, along with spines, which help their body move slowly. Sea urchins have only 5 teeth, they are located in the center of the body. Notably, each tooth has a separate jaw that helps them become more flexible.

The anus is located on the upper (inner) surface of the shell, directly opposite the mouth. Like the mouth, it is surrounded by a ring of small discs called the pinna. Surrounding the anal opening are five smaller openings (genital openings) that are directly connected to the gonads inside the body cavity.

Flowering sea urchins are hermaphrodites, but it is almost impossible to determine the sex of an individual by external characteristics alone. Can only be determined by examining the external characteristics of the genital opening.

Despite their attractive and eye-catching appearance, they are the most dangerous sea urchins on earth. Their venom can cause blood clots, muscle spasms, shock, paralysis, drowning or death.

Despite possessing deadly venom, flower sea urchins do not harm clownfish. Instead, they will cooperate with each other to survive. Specifically, clownfish will catch parasites living on flowering sea urchins for food, and flowered sea urchins will help the clownfish have a place to hide to avoid enemies.

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