Can someone identify this for me?

[Ianb82]

Hi all! I noticed this red thing living on the rock today. I've never seen it before.. what is it??

 

[Crabs McJones]

Welcome to R2R !!

#WelcometoR2R

Possibly a tunicate of some type. Does it pulse like its breathing?

 

[Ianb82]

I just tried to check for pulsing and it almost seems like the rock it's hiding in is a shell? It seemed to retract inside and it looked like a shell closing

 

[Sierra_Bravo]

I also think it looks like a type of sea squirt with the main body being covered up and obscured. They will shrivel and appear to close and withdraw if bothered. Looks like this when you see the whole animal:

 

[Ianb82]

Thanks for the info! It's an interesting find

 

[DSC reef]

Welcome to R2R. Wondering if it's a type of bivalve?

 

[Sierra_Bravo]

Welcome to R2R. Wondering if it's a type of bivalve?

It does look stoney above and below, doesn't it? It's a very cleverly camouflaged little guy if so. Ian82 - does the top above move when it withdraws?