Common name: Blue Velvet Sea Squirt

General information

The Blue Velvet Sea Squirt, Eudistoma reginum, is a colonial tunicate found in tropical reef environments. It is known for its striking blue coloration and velvety appearance, which can add a unique aesthetic to any reef aquarium. Tunicates are filter feeders and play a crucial role in water quality by removing suspended particles.

Care

Caring for Eudistoma reginum requires a well-established aquarium with stable water conditions. They thrive in moderate to high flow areas that facilitate their filter-feeding behavior. It is important to provide a diet rich in phytoplankton or other suitable micro-foods to maintain their health and coloration.

Reproduction

As with many tunicates, Eudistoma reginum reproduces both sexually and asexually. In the aquarium, they may propagate by budding, where new individuals form from the parent colony. This can be an interesting process to observe and can lead to the natural expansion of the colony within the tank.

Habitat

Eudistoma reginum is typically found in shallow waters of coral reefs, often attaching to hard substrates. They are distributed in the Indo-Pacific region, including the Red Sea, the Indian Ocean, and the central and western Pacific Ocean.