| Sea peach | |
|---|---|
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Subphylum: | Tunicata |
| Class: | Ascidiacea |
| Order: | Stolidobranchia |
| Family: | Pyuridae |
| Genus: | Halocynthia |
| Species: | H. aurantium |
| Binomial name | |
| Halocynthia aurantium Pallas, 1787[1] |
|
Sea peaches are of the order Stolidobranchia, making them a sub-classification of Tunicates. Sea peaches are commonly found in the northern Pacific ocean, ranging from the Arctic Sea south to Puget Sound, and most common in the Bering Sea at a depth of 40 to 100 metres. The sea peach is typically barrel shaped, growing to a height of 18 centimetres, and its body is attached directly to the substrate. It is usually red or orange with a smooth or wrinkled tunic. There are two siphons at the top.[2] The sea peach is preyed upon by crabs and sea stars.[3]