is this the invasive tunicate Ciona Savignyi?

spatman · Post by **spatman** » Sun Jan 13, 2008 11:48 am

found these at Octopus Hole at about 20-25', not too far along the wall, 10 to 15 minutes into our dive:

<a href="http://spatman.com/misc/ciona.jpg" target="_blank">click here for full size, uncropped image</a>

lamont · Post by **lamont** » Sun Jan 13, 2008 12:07 pm

i might be hallucinating... but for the siphon in the center of the frame, i'm seeing yellow flecks on a scalloped siphon which would indicate c. savygni...

coachrenz · Post by **coachrenz** » Sun Jan 13, 2008 1:55 pm

They sure appear to be, and it wouldn't be unusual to find them at that location. They have been a serious problem at Sund Rock for some time now.

I don't recall seeing them at Octopus Hole when I was last there.

Not good news.

Sounder · Post by **Sounder** » Mon Jan 14, 2008 9:39 am

I agree, it looks like the Ciona.

nwscubamom · Post by **nwscubamom** » Fri Jan 18, 2008 10:05 am

I just now saw this post, and yes those are most definitely Ciona savignyi. Wow, good eyes! Thanks for reporting these - this is the first I know of that they've been reported at this location. Although, it's not surprising since we know of them at sites both north and south of Octopus Hole.

Thanks for keeping a sharp eye out! I'll get these reported to WDFW.

- Janna

nwscubamom · Post by **nwscubamom** » Fri Jan 18, 2008 10:20 am

Spatman,

Any chance you could have been deeper than 20-25 ft when you saw them? So far these have only been found at depths of over 40 feet, roughly...

- Janna

spatman · Post by **spatman** » Fri Jan 18, 2008 11:13 am

nwscubamom wrote:Spatman,

Any chance you could have been deeper than 20-25 ft when you saw them? So far these have only been found at depths of over 40 feet, roughly...

- Janna

hi janna

yep, you are right. i took a closer look at my dive profile and around that time i was between 30-35' and the tide had been going out for a couple of hours by then.

next time is see them, i'll be sure to note more carefully where i am.

Sounder · Post by **Sounder** » Fri Jan 18, 2008 1:53 pm

spatman wrote:
nwscubamom wrote:Spatman,

Any chance you could have been deeper than 20-25 ft when you saw them? So far these have only been found at depths of over 40 feet, roughly...

- Janna

hi janna

yep, you are right. i took a closer look at my dive profile and around that time i was between 30-35' and the tide had been going out for a couple of hours by then.

next time is see them, i'll be sure to note more carefully where i am.

Yes! Anytime you find them do check your depth and location (if possible) with land marks (again, if possible). That'll help the AAT pinpoint them if they go for removal.

Good catch!

coachrenz · Post by **coachrenz** » Fri Feb 01, 2008 10:41 pm

I was just looking through some old pictures and found some from Octopus Hole taken on June 24, 2007 and there were C. savignyi there then. I remember reporting them at the time.

Guess I am getting old.