The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 3 plus 6 letter word SEA URCHIN
I've seen this crossword clue in The Guardian
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More clues leading to the result SEA URCHIN
- Endlessly casting about, catching high-class marine creature
- University blocks hunt happening for marine life
- Marine creature lookin’ round the bend?
- Wet creature finds nucleus of fluid in dry feature
- Prickly type upsetting China? Sure
- Marine creature, like a scruffy cabin boy?
- Look round posh home for creature under shell
- University dons huntin’ marine creature
- Scorch beard, possibly, eating unusual starter, marine animal
- Look around university popular for subject of marine biologists
Buddy explains!

The straight part
We know that "Wet creature" is the straight/definition part of the clue. The straight part is often a synonym or definition, in this case wet creature = sea urchin.The cryptic/wordplay part
In cryptic crossword there's often an wordplay/cryptic part as well.This part involves a more complex hint, such as an anagram, homophone, hidden word, etc.
Sadly, We don't have an explanation for this specific crossword clue yet.
What does SEA URCHIN mean?
SEA URCHIN noun- Any of many marine echinoderms, of the class Echinoidea, commonly found in shallow water, having a complex chewing structure named Aristotle's lantern.