Clavelina moluccensis (Bluebell tunicate)

Identification

Colonial ascidian. The zooid is oval or egg-shaped and sits on a thick stalk, with translucent walls, and a pale blue, violet or darker blue color.

Status

Unassessed by the IUCN Red list. Uncommon species from the Indo-West Pacific.

Habitat

They can be found in the Indo-West Pacific, in Indonesia, the Philippines and Australia. They grow in clusters, on dead coral or hard substrates, often under overhangs, in a depth range of 3-113 meters.

Reproduction

Members of the class Ascidians are hermaphroditic (both male and female simultaneously. Both cross- and self-fertilization is typical. Eggs develop into lecithotrophic larva before metamorphosing into benthic adults.

Size

Up t0 2,5cm.

Prey / Predation

They filter plankton by pumping water through their body, filtering out food particles as it passes.

Special features