Genus
Common name: Sea Pork
Scientific name: Aplidium
Aplidium is a genus of colonial tunicates commonly known as Sea Pork due to their resemblance to slabs of pork fat. These invertebrates are fascinating additions to the reef aquarium, often forming extensive mats or lobes on rocks and substrates. They are filter feeders, drawing in water to extract plankton and organic particles, thus contributing to the tank's biological filtration. Aplidium species are generally hardy and can adapt to a range of conditions, but they require stable water quality and moderate to strong water flow to thrive.