Gulf of Maine Tunicates (Sea Squirts – 6 Species Assortment)
Collected by hand from Maine’s tidal zones, moorings, and subtidal habitats, this Gulf of Maine Tunicate Collection showcases six fascinating species of colonial and solitary ascidians — commonly known as sea squirts. These filter-feeding invertebrates are known for their translucent, gelatinous bodies and vibrant colors, making them excellent specimens for marine biology labs, classroom study, and aquarium display.
Depending on the “catch of the day,” your assortment may include:
Common name: Sea grape
Scientific name: Molgula spp.
Locations: Mooring lines, buoys, traps, pilings, floats, salmon pens, undersides of rocks
Seasonality: Available year-round
Colors: Dull gray or translucent gray
Size: ½” – 1”
Collected: By hand, scraped from rocks and lines
Quantity: Sold by the each
Common name: Sea vase, sea squirt
Scientific name: Ciona intestinalis
Locations: Mooring lines, buoys, traps, pilings, floats, salmon pens
Seasonality: Available year-round
Colors: Iridescent yellow
Size: 1” – 4”
Collected: By hand
Quantity: Sold by the each
Common name: Sea potato, stalked tunicate
Scientific name: Boltenia ovifera
Locations: Subtidal rocky bottoms, tidepools, and low-water spring tide zones
Seasonality: Available year-round
Colors: Mostly orange, sometimes reddish, brown, or tan
Size: 3” – 12”
Collected: By hand at low tide, or by fishing boats and divers
Quantity: Sold by the each
Common name: Golden star tunicate
Scientific name: Botryllus schlosseri
Locations: Found on pilings, floats, rocks, buoys, kelp, and in tide pools
Seasonality: Available year-round
Colors: Peachy brown to black, often with white and yellow star-like zooids
Size: ¼” – 6”
Collected: By hand, knife to detach from rocks
Quantity: Sold by the each
Common name: Sea peach
Scientific name: Halocynthia aurantium
Locations: Found on pilings, floats, rocks, buoys, kelp, and in tide pools
Seasonality: Available year-round
Colors: Peachy orange
Size: 1” – 4”
Collected: By hand, knife to detach from substrate
Quantity: Sold by the each
This 6-species tunicate collection offers a remarkable look into the Gulf of Maine’s benthic biodiversity — from colonial encrusting forms to large solitary species. Each is sustainably gathered and ideal for hands-on observation of chordate evolution and filter-feeding anatomy.
Note: This is a live marine specimen collection. Natural variations in size, color, and species assortment should be expected. If you would like any specimens preserved, please send a request to: info@gulfofme.com.
Gulf of Maine Tunicates (Sea Squirts – 6 Species Assortment)
Collected by hand from Maine’s tidal zones, moorings, and subtidal habitats, this Gulf of Maine Tunicate Collection showcases six fascinating species of colonial and solitary ascidians — commonly known as sea squirts. These filter-feeding invertebrates are known for their translucent, gelatinous bodies and vibrant colors, making them excellent specimens for marine biology labs, classroom study, and aquarium display.
Depending on the “catch of the day,” your assortment may include:
Common name: Sea grape
Scientific name: Molgula spp.
Locations: Mooring lines, buoys, traps, pilings, floats, salmon pens, undersides of rocks
Seasonality: Available year-round
Colors: Dull gray or translucent gray
Size: ½” – 1”
Collected: By hand, scraped from rocks and lines
Quantity: Sold by the each
Common name: Sea vase, sea squirt
Scientific name: Ciona intestinalis
Locations: Mooring lines, buoys, traps, pilings, floats, salmon pens
Seasonality: Available year-round
Colors: Iridescent yellow
Size: 1” – 4”
Collected: By hand
Quantity: Sold by the each
Common name: Sea potato, stalked tunicate
Scientific name: Boltenia ovifera
Locations: Subtidal rocky bottoms, tidepools, and low-water spring tide zones
Seasonality: Available year-round
Colors: Mostly orange, sometimes reddish, brown, or tan
Size: 3” – 12”
Collected: By hand at low tide, or by fishing boats and divers
Quantity: Sold by the each
Common name: Golden star tunicate
Scientific name: Botryllus schlosseri
Locations: Found on pilings, floats, rocks, buoys, kelp, and in tide pools
Seasonality: Available year-round
Colors: Peachy brown to black, often with white and yellow star-like zooids
Size: ¼” – 6”
Collected: By hand, knife to detach from rocks
Quantity: Sold by the each
Common name: Sea peach
Scientific name: Halocynthia aurantium
Locations: Found on pilings, floats, rocks, buoys, kelp, and in tide pools
Seasonality: Available year-round
Colors: Peachy orange
Size: 1” – 4”
Collected: By hand, knife to detach from substrate
Quantity: Sold by the each
This 6-species tunicate collection offers a remarkable look into the Gulf of Maine’s benthic biodiversity — from colonial encrusting forms to large solitary species. Each is sustainably gathered and ideal for hands-on observation of chordate evolution and filter-feeding anatomy.
Note: This is a live marine specimen collection. Natural variations in size, color, and species assortment should be expected. If you would like any specimens preserved, please send a request to: info@gulfofme.com.
