Pyura stolonifera Heller 1878

cunjevoi

 

Pyura stolonifera, cunjevoi

Cunjevoi, Pyura stolonifera, forms large mats over intertidal platforms (above at Shelley Beach, Ballina). Broken off clumps are often found washed up on Main Beach after storms. Pyura stolonifera has a hard tunic. Its two siphons are very close together and are tightly closed at low tide. Cunjevoi is often covered with algae.

It is traditional eaten by people in Chile and by Aboriginal people. It is used by fishermen as bait, and loggerhead turtles are often seen eating cunjevoi.

 

Distribution widespread in the southern hemisphere, southern Qld south to southern WA .
Depth Intertidal to 12m
Max size height to 30cms
Family Pyuridae
group = Ascidians