Molle Didemnum (Didemnum molle)

Also known as Barrel-shaped Tunicate, Colonial Ascidian, Colony Sea Squirt, Compound Ascidian, Golden Sea Squirt, Green Barrel Sea Squirt, Green Reef Sea Squirt, Green Tunicate, Green Urn Ascidian, Green Urn Sea Squirt, Molle Tunicate, Sea Squirt, Soft Sea Squirt, Tall Urn Ascidian, Tunicate, Urn Ascidian, Urn Sea Squirt

Description

Also known as Barrel-shaped Tunicate, Colonial Ascidian, Colony Sea Squirt, Compound Ascidian, Golden Sea Squirt, Green Barrel Sea Squirt, Green Reef Sea Squirt, Green Tunicate, Green Urn Ascidian, Green Urn Sea Squirt, Molle Tunicate, Sea Squirt, Soft Sea Squirt, Tall Urn Ascidian, Tunicate, Urn Ascidian, Urn Sea Squirt.

Found in colonies, anchored to hard surfaces, of dead coral and rocks on shallow reefs.
They feed on suspended plankton and zooplankton.
Length - 3cm
Depth - 0-20m
Widespread Indo-West Pacific

These urn shaped ascidians have numerous and minute oral siphons.
Often confused with Didemnum robustum which has numerous bigger oral siphons.
They vary in colour from white, orange to bright green.
The green colour inside is the result of being inhabited by minute blue/green algae.
The Egyptian sea star - Gomophia egyptiaca and the Sea Snail - Gyrineum gyrinum prey upon this sea squirt. (edit) Ref: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Didemnum_molle

Related creatures

Heads up! Many creatures change during their life. Juvenile fish become adults and some change shape or their colour. Some species change sex and others just get older. The following creature(s) are known relatives of the Molle Didemnum. Click the image(s) to explore further or hover over to get a better view!

Atriolum Robustum

Atriolum Robustum

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