Lemon Sponge (Leucetta chagosensis)

Also known as Calcareous Sponge, Chagos Calcite Sponge, Coral Reef Sponge, Indo-Pacific Coral Reef Sponge, Lemon Sponge Coral, Marine Sponge, Red Sea Sponge, Yellow Sponge Coral

Description

Also known as Calcareous Sponge, Chagos Calcite Sponge, Coral Reef Sponge, Indo-Pacific Coral Reef Sponge, Lemon Sponge Coral, Marine Sponge, Red Sea Sponge, Yellow Sponge Coral.

Found hanging from deep water caves or shady drop off's often growing downwards, over coral and rocky reefs.
They feed on plankton.
Length - 17cm
Depth - 0-100m
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. Ref: x

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