I was surprised by the bright orange colouration of this lined compound ascidian (Botrylloides violaceus) noticed during a dive in the Saanich Inlet on Vancouver Island. This ascidian has also been observed in purple as well as beige colourations. The lined compound ascidian can overgrow almost any solid surface from dock pilings to marine algae. This species was introduced from Japan perhaps fifty years ago. The lined compound ascidian has an irregular shape with a range that includes Japan, the Atlantic coastline of North America, as well as British Columbia to northern Baja California.