Barrel Sponge (Petrosiidae sp.)

Also known as Giant Barrel Sponge, Great Vase Sponge, Marine Sponge, Siliceous Sponge, Volcano Sponge

Description

Also known as Giant Barrel Sponge, Great Vase Sponge, Marine Sponge, Siliceous Sponge, Volcano Sponge.

Found singly or in small colonies, over reef faces and flats, of coral and rocky reefs. Various critters can often be found resting inside these sponges.
They feed on plankton.
Length - 1.5m
Depth - 10-30m
Worldwide

Sponges come in a range of sizes from minuscule encrusting species under rocks to massive sponges which can be up to one and half metres high.
They are able to filter many litres of sea water every few seconds.
Sponges can exude highly toxic chemicals and so have very few predators apart from nudibranchs, sea stars, sea urchins and umbrella shell.
Their colour can vary if growing in the light or when growing in the shade. (edit) Ref: x

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