Costa Rica 2004 - Tunicate?

[gangrel441]

The wife and I were diving off Playa Hermosa, Costa Rica in July 2004. We photographed a number of these little critters during that trip. I know a bit more about critter id now than I did then, but still just enough to be dangerous. We found these guys in water anywhere from about 40-60 fsw. I am fairly certain it is some kind of tunicate, but the only ones I know how to make a positive id on are Caribbean varieties. Any help would be much appreciated.

 

[Rick Murchison]

Do you have any more pics? In that one it looks like an azure vase sponge...

 

[gangrel441]

I am fairly certain these are not Azure Vase Sponges, however. We saw many of them on this trip, and they were all tiny, maybe 1-1 1/2 inthces tall tops, and fairly uniform. They were always solitary, as well.

This picture isn't much better, but perhaps it will help with perspective.

 

[Chad_Ordelheide]

Turnicates!!! Do you think this might be a solitary turnicate?? I'm still looking for a name!

http://www.scubaboard.com/gallery/showphoto.php/photo/16572/cat/500/page/1

 

[archman]

The wife and I were diving off Playa Hermosa, Costa Rica in July 2004.

Ah, I just realized your dive site is Pacific. That makes ID'ing the thing considerably more difficult.

 

[gangrel441]

Ah, I just realized your dive site is Pacific. That makes ID'ing the thing considerably more difficult.

Sorry. My bad. I thought when I posted the original message that I mentioned it was a Pacific critter, but I see that I did not.