Marine Wildlife Encyclopedia
Sea Tulip Pyura spinifera
This giant sea squirt is held up into the water on the end of a long, thin stalk. This means that its large inhalent siphon is in a better position to pull in plankton-rich water. The sea tulip’s body is covered in warty outgrowths and is naturally a bright yellow. However, the growth of an encrusting commensal sponge on many of these sea squirts gives them a pink appearance. During rough weather, sea tulips are often battered down onto the seabed, but they soon spring back on their flexible stalks.
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- Subphylum Urochordata
- Height Up to 12 in (30 cm)
- Depth 15–200 ft (5–60 m)
- Habitat Rocky reefs
- Distribution Temperate waters of Australia
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