Ascidiella aspersa
Invertebrate
Chordata
Ascidiacea
Ascidiidae
This sea squirt has a clear tunic (body covering) and smooth siphons. Water is inhaled through the upper siphon.
Found on rocky shores and on man made structures such as jetty pilings. It can tolerate low salinity water and so is found in estuaries.
Filter feeds on organic material in the water.
Invasive from the Northern Atlantic, came into NZ on the hulls of ships.