Size

Individual height: 10cm (4") Individual width: 4.5cm (1.5")

Recognition Characters

Large solitary tunicate that can often grow in clumps. Tunic is thick, convoluted, and very tough. Often encrusted with other tunicates or bryozoans. Easily distinguished by 4-lobe siphon.

Color

Grayish or tannish white with red, pinkish, or purplish stripes or margins on siphons.

Habitat & Depth

Grow on rocks, pilings, shells, and hard bottom outcroppings. Shallow water to 30m deep.

Distribution at GRNMS

Common at GRNMS.

Geographic Range

North Carolina to Caribbean, Gulf of Mexico

Behavior & Notes

S. plicata is reproductive all year round. Good aquarium species.

Synonyms

References

Humann 1992a, Meinkoth 1981, Kaplan 1988, Ruppert and Fox 1988