Species Information

Sheath tunicate
Botrylloides violaceus

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Characteristics

• Usually orange, sometimes red or dull purple
• Individual animals (zooids) arranged in loose circles, rows, or dense colonies
• Dense colonies can be extensive, creating firm, gelatinous coating on submerged structures; colony sometimes forms lobes

Habitat

• Grows on rocks, shells, pilings, seaweeds, ship hulls, and other submerged surfaces
• Usually below low-tide line

Known Distribution in the Northeast

• Newfoundland to Florida
• Native to northwestern Pacific Ocean

Impacts

• Competition with native species (invertebrates and algae)  for living space
• Grows over other organisms, interfering with their feeding and other behaviors