Golden Sea Squirt
Polycarpa aurata
Max Size
See in AppMax Weight
—
Max Depth
50 m
Description
Polycarpa aurata grows to a height of 5 to 15 cm (2 to 6 in). It has an urn-shaped, hollow body with two siphons, one at the top and the other on the side. The body colour of this tunicate is white with purple and orange patches and purple lines. The inside is yellow or orange and this is visible round the rim of the siphons.
Distribution
This species is found in the tropical eastern Indian Ocean and the western Pacific Ocean. Its range includes the Philippines, Indonesia and northern Australia. Its depth range is 5 to 50 m (16 to 164 ft).
Biology
Tunicates feed by drawing water in through the branchial siphon at the top, filtering out phytoplankton, bacteria and other food particles, before expelling the water through the atrial siphon at the side. Sometimes hydroids and algae grow on the outside of the tunicate and nudibranchs such as Nembrotha lineolata sometimes feed on it.
Colors
Habitat and Environment
Coral reef
Similar Species
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Golden Sea Squirt dangerous?
Golden Sea Squirt has no known danger to humans. However, always observe marine life responsibly.
Where can you find Golden Sea Squirt?
How deep does Golden Sea Squirt live?
Golden Sea Squirt can be found at depths of up to 50 meters.