The largest of the solitary ascidians (sea squirts), it is covered in a leathery pink tunic. It has a long stalk up to 400 mm in length wich is attached to the rock.

Found in the low intertidal to subtidal.

They are filter feeders and have a complex gut system called the pharyngeal basket to filter out the plankton from the sea water.

Sea squirts are classified as Urochordates because as larvae (called tadpole) they have a primitive nerve cord supported by cartilage.

A Guide to the Plants and Animals of the New Zealand Marine Studies Centre: McKinnon