Stock enhancement is an effective method to achieve high production of the sea urchin Strongylocentrotus intermedius. This process is affected by various internal and external factors, among which temperature plays an important role. Temperature significantly affects the feeding and metabolism of S. intermedius, thereby regulating survival and growth. Temperature change, as an important stress factor, affects the behaviors of S. intermedius. These behaviors can effectively protect S. intermedius from the effects of environmental factors. The righting response, frequency of Aristotle’s lantern reflex, foraging behavior, positive phototaxis behavior, and negative phototaxis behavior reflect the behavioral functions of S. intermedius for foraging and self-protection against predators. Additionally, they are the most important adaptation-related characteristics for increasing the population size of S. intermedius. Therefore, it is essential to determine the optimal temperature range for stock enhancement of S. intermedius. In this study, S. intermedius were placed in temperature-controlled tanks. Stones were collected locally and placed in the tanks to simulate the benthic environment of S. intermedius. We placed large [(23.29±0.27) mm] and small [(18.78±0.19) mm] S. intermedius in three temperature environments (10 ℃, 15 ℃, and 20 ℃) for 6 weeks to observe the changes in their survival, growth and behaviors, to reveal the effects of different temperatures on S. intermedius. Growth referred to the change in body traits (test diameter, test weight, test height, crushing force of test, test thickness, body weight, lantern length, and lantern weight) and tissue weight (gonad weight and gut weight) of S. intermedius after 6 weeks. Behaviors included righting response, frequency of Aristotle’s lantern reflex, foraging behavior, positive phototaxis, and negative phototaxis. There was no mortality during the experiment. This indicates that 10–20 ℃ is an acceptable temperature range for the survival of S. intermedius. The food consumption of sea urchins in the 20 ℃ group was significantly higher than that in the other two temperature groups for both body sizes (P＜0.001). Test diameter, test weight, test height, crushing force of test, body weight, lantern length, lantern weight, gonad weight, and gut weight of different sizes were significantly lower in sea urchins exposed to 20 ℃ than to 10 ℃ and 15 ℃ Therefore, 10 ℃ and 15 ℃ were within the most suitable temperature range for optimal growth and development of sea urchins. Moreover, the frequency of Aristotle’s lantern reflex, phototaxis, negative phototaxis, and foraging behaviors of S. intermedius exposed to 15 ℃ was significantly greater than that at 20 ℃. This suggests that S. intermedius exhibits better behavior in this environment. In summary, the present study investigated the changes in survival, growth, and behaviors of S. intermedius at different water temperatures and found that 10–15 ℃ is appropriate for behavior and growth of S. intermedius. Releasing juvenile S. intermedius at 10–15 ℃ will maximize the benefit of stock enhancement. The present study provides valuable information for stock enhancement and resource management of S. intermedius.