(Ingdalen - The Trondheim fjord / 30 meters / 7.18.2001)

Phylum: Chordata

Subphylum: Tunicata

Class: Ascidiacea

Order: Stolidobranchia

Family: Pyuridae

Scientific name: Halocynthia pyriformis

 

Norwegian: pæresekkdyr

Distribution: The sea peach is widely distributed along the northern parts of Norway, but is registered as far south as Stavanger. It can be found on almost any substrate from the tidal zone and down to a depth of 600 meters.

Characteristics: This is a solitary ascidian, but appears occasionally in large colonies. The body may reach a height of 10 cm. The color is red or orange, sometimes with orange stripes.

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