General Description

A large, solitary ascidian with two circular tube-like openings (siphons). The body is white or opaque with a red line around the rims of the siphons. Up to about 20 cm long.

Biology

These ascidians are common in southern Australian waters. They rarely form groups and are usually seen as solitary individuals. They are often covered by encrusting organisms, camouflaging their bulbous bodies on reefs.

Habitat

Reef, seagrass and sponge areas, also attached to jetty piles, to depth of 100 m.

Reefs

Seagrass meadows

Sponge gardens

Distribution guide

Southern and eastern Australia.

Species Group

Ascidians

Depth

Shore (0-1 m)
Shallow (1-30 m)
Deep ( > 30 m)

Water Column

On or near sea floor

Max Size

20 cm

Diet

Plankton or Particles

Commercial Species

No

Global Dispersal

Native to Australia

Conservation Status

• DSE Advisory List : Not listed
• EPBC Act 1999 : Not listed
• IUCN Red List : Not listed