Description
Also known as Golf Ball Sponge, Moon Sponge, Pado Sponge, Siliceous Sponge.
Found in shallow waters, under ledges, close to mangroves, and on slopes, over rubble and sandy areas, often to be found on back reef slopes. Varies in colour from brown to green, usually found with a layer of sand over them and minute algae particles growing.
They feed on plankton.
Width - 6cm
Depth - 0-45m
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. (edit)
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1 comment
Posted by Cole McMullenI found this information astoundingly useful and interesting. This species of sponge has always meant a lot to me and my family and I thank the author for his time and dedication to the subject. The knowledge I have gained has absorbed into my mind almost like a sponge. (That's some oceanography terminology, hee hee) Thanks for this article. PEMDAS