The immediate obvious characteristic of this squirt are the warty siphons, which when extended for feeding are bright red. The warty tunic may be overgrown and no immediately visible. It is very hard to spot when the tide is out as it retracts into a hard lump. It is roughly oval in outline, the siphons are similar sized and a separated by about half the animals body.

Very common on man-made structures such as wharf piles, but can also be found on rocks from low tide to about 100m deep. It prefers semi-exposed shores.

A filter feeder on organic material in the water.

If touched firmly while out of water sea squirts will squirt, but don't try it too often as the animal is relying on that stored water to keep it alive while the tide is out. The siphons are directed away from the sea floor to prevent them from clogging.

Photo Credit: Rod Morris. Photos available from www.rodmorris.co.nz