Common name: Tabasco Tunicate

General information

The Tabasco Tunicate, Aplidium tabascum, is a colonial tunicate often found in reef environments. Tunicates, also known as sea squirts, are part of the subphylum Tunicata, which is a group of marine animals that have a tough outer 'tunic' made of a cellulose-like substance. Aplidium tabascum is known for its distinctive reddish-brown coloration and small, encrusting colonies that can cover rocks, coral, or other hard substrates.

Care

Tabasco Tunicates are filter feeders and require a constant flow of water to supply them with the necessary nutrients and oxygen. They are best suited for mature reef aquariums with stable water conditions and low levels of nitrates and phosphates. It's important to provide them with fine particulate food, like phytoplankton or zooplankton, to maintain their health.

Reproduction

Like many tunicates, Aplidium tabascum reproduces both sexually and asexually. In sexual reproduction, they release sperm and eggs into the water column, where fertilization occurs. The resulting larvae are free-swimming and will settle on a suitable substrate to form new colonies. Asexual reproduction occurs through budding, where new individuals grow from the body of an existing colony member.

Habitat

Aplidium tabascum is typically found in shallow waters of tropical and subtropical regions, often in association with coral reefs. They can be found at various depths, usually not exceeding the limits of the photic zone where light penetration is sufficient for the photosynthetic organisms they feed on.