20 photos - 12 species


Introduction


Sea squirts are sessile tunicates that colonise

the world's oceans from the shelf to the deep sea.

With around 2000 species, they are the most species-rich group of tunicates.

Due to their ability to form a mantle and as internal micro-filters,

whereby they utilise the productivity of the free water body,

the sea squirts are one of the most successful animal groups.


Aplidium sp.

Aplidium sp.

Unfortunately I cannot find a description of this species

Bangka island North Sulawesi


Atriolum robustum

Robust sea squirt, Small Urn - ascidian

Maximum size: 1 - 3 cm

Depth: 5 - 30 m

It is a colonial sea squirt.

Its green to brown colors are due to symbiotic unicellular algae Prochlorons.

These algae disappear with depth, so very white individuals can be found from about 20 m.

The tunic consists of tunicin, a substance similar to the cellulose of plants,

which is unique in the deep sea.

Bangka island North Sulawesi


Botrylloides sp.

Botrylloides sp.

Maximum size: ?

Depth: ?

Sorry, no description of this beautiful sea squirt to be found.

Bangka island North Sulawesi


Clavelina coerulea

Blue sea squirt

Maximum size: 1 - 2 cm

This species is one of the most beautiful sea squirts.

Their lifespan is short, but they reproduce quite quickly.

Moalboal Philippines


Clavelina lepadiformis

Lightbulb tunicates, Chrystal bells

Maximum size: 2 cm

Depth: 20 - 60 m

The individual zooid is only 2 cm in size, but colonies can reach up to 45 cm.

The zooid is transparent, has fine white markings and 6 white dots on the siphon.

This species can be found in areas protected from currents,

reefs near corals in caves and crevices. 

Diet: Plankton

Bangka island North Sulawesi


Clavelina robusta

Sea squirt, Stalked ascidian, Cat eye squirt

Maximum size: 2.5 - 5 cm

Depth: 10 - 30 m

One of the most beautiful sea squirts.

Clavelina robusta often forms large colonies with 2-5 cm large, cylindrical zooids.

The color generally ranges from black to dark blue or grey,

with fluorescent green, yellow or white rings around both siphons.

Bangka island North Sulawesi


Diazona formosa

Tunicate

Maximum size: 2 cm

Depth: 20 - 60 m

The individual zooid is only 2 cm in size, but colonies can reach up to 45 cm.

The zooid is transparent, has fine white markings and 6 white dots on the siphon.

This species can be found in areas protected from currents,

reefs near corals in caves and crevices. 

Diet: Plankton

Bangka island North Sulawesi


Didemnum molle

Green urn sea squirt, Green barrel sea squirt

Maximum length: 2.5 - 10 cm

Depth: 0 - 15 m

The colonies consist of individuals that are firmly attached to the substrate

and can form extensive colonies in the rocky habitats of the reefs.

A colonial sea squirt in the shape of a vase,

sometimes elongated or quite broad, up to 10 cm in diameter.

Variable color between green, white and brown.

The characteristic mantle or body wall is flexible, but at the same time robust.

The color depends on the pigments, the concentration of calcareous clerites

and the cyanobacteria of the genus Prochloron, which live in symbiosis with Didemnum molle

and colonize the common cloacal space of the colony.

The intense green color inside its chamber is due to the presence

of cyanobacteria on its surface and in its tissues,

which form a symbiotic relationship with it.

In shallow waters, the colonies are usually small and very colorful,

while the colonies at greater depths have larger individuals

and their coloration is more grayish and brown.

This very common species is widespread in the tropical Indo-Pacific region,

including the Red Sea.

The green reef scorpionfish lives on exposed hard bottoms and also colonizes artificial substrates.

Photo 1: Bali Indonesia

Photo 2: Lembeh Strait North Sulawesi


Herdmania momus

Herdman's sea squirt, Giant pink ascidian, Red - lipped ascidian

Red throated ascidian

Maximum size: 5 - 20 cm

Depth: 7 - 100 m

Opaque pink.

Found in warm seas worldwide. 

They can be found among seagrass and inhabited reefs.

Banka island North Sulawesi


Nephtheis fascicularis

Lollipop tunicate, Blue palm coral

Maximum size: 8 cm

Depth: - 45 m

Native to shallow reefs.

The beautiful sea squirt is the only species of the genus Nephtheis.

It is not photosynthetic and lives exclusively on plankton and small organic particles.

and small organic particles.

The branching stems are formed by zooids.

Bangka island North Sulawesi


Polycarpa aurata

Goldmouth sea squirt or Ink-spot sea squirt

Maximum length: 10 cm

It has two openings.

When you take it out of the water, it contracts and sprays water.

Bali Indonesia


Pycnociavella diminuta

White - spotted sea squirt

Maximum size: 1.5 cm

Depth: 5 - 20 m

It lives in colonies consisting of small clusters of zooids,

which extend from a common stalk.

Each zooid is about 0.5 - 1.5 cm long

and golden yellow - orange in color and have white spots.

These spots vary in shape and size, but are well defined

and evenly distributed throughout the colony.

Bangka island North Sulawesi