The light bulb sea squirt is a marine species characterized by a translucent tubular shape, highlighted by bright white rings and longitudinal lines !

Three rings in total ! The first white ring marks the upper part of the inner envelope, called the branchial sac, while the other two white rings mark the openings of the inhalant and exhalant siphons.

The translucent envelope of the light bulb sea squirt is also accentuated by two white longitudinal lines that are diametrically opposed.

Indeed, the envelope of the light bulb sea squirt, called the « tunic », is transparent and equipped with two cylindrical tubes known as « siphons ». Seawater is drawn in through the upper siphon, called the « oral siphon », and then expelled through the lateral siphon known as the « atrial siphon ». As it passes through, the seawater is filtered by the organism through the branchial sac.

By closely observing the translucent envelope of the light bulb sea squirt, you may notice faint horizontal white lines that are barely perceptible and resemble ribs !

Each individual in the colony measures a few centimeters in height with a diameter of a few millimeters. The colony itself can reach a size of around 4 to 8 inches.

When the light bulb sea squirt forms a small colony, each individual is connected to the other colony members at its base by a cord called a « stolon » that creeps along the bottom.

The light bulb sea squirt is found from the surface down to a depth of 164 feet.

The light bulb sea squirt is found in the Mediterranean Sea, the Adriatic Sea, and in the waters of the eastern Atlantic Ocean, from Norway to the Strait of Gibraltar, including Ireland and the British Isles.

The light bulb sea squirt lives in small communities of several individuals grouped together in a colony. It is usually attached to rocky substrates in areas not too exposed to light.

The light bulb sea squirt feeds on organic micro-particles that it traps through active filtration of seawater.

The light bulb sea squirt has either sexual or asexual reproduction depending on the case and follows an annual growth cycle.

The light bulb sea squirt stands on rocky walls in small colonies of several individuals that form clusters of translucent bell shapes !