Orange-crumble Sponge

Scientific Name: Acarnus sp.
Species: Sponges (Iophonidae)
Other names: Marine Sponges, Siliceous Sponges, Orange-crumb Sponge, Indian Sponge, Red Volcano Sponge.

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Orange-crumble Sponge

Uploaded by: @fishx6 in April 2008
Photographed at: Gangehi - Maldives
Caption: red sponge in picture
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Description

Also known as Marine Sponges, Siliceous Sponges, Orange-crumb Sponge, Indian Sponge and Red Volcano Sponge.

Found on coral and rocky reefs ranging from shallow to deeper waters.
Colours range from orange to red.
They feed on plankton.
Length - 25cm
Depth - 10-25m
Widespread Indo-Pacific

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.