WHATSTHATFISH
Sponges

Pink-and-Red Encrusting Sponge

Spirastrella coccinea

Also known as: Caribbean Marine Sponge, Caribbean Sponge, Demospongiae, Marine Sponge, Siliceous Sponge, Marine Sponge

Adult
@fishx6 · Bonaire - Dive Site 13, Caribbean Netherlands · November 20101 / 2
01

Overview

Found between coral rubble over submarine caves and in mangrove ponds. Varies in colour.

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.

02

How to identify

Pattern
spots

Tap any trait to see other fish that share it.

03

Habitat & where to find it

  • Range · Western Atlantic, Caribbean
  • Country only · 2
LIVES IN

Found between coral rubble over submarine caves and in mangrove ponds.

04

Adult photos 2

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Discussion

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    ALL STAGES
    FOR THE MARINE-BIOLOGY CURIOUS

    Deep dive

    Taxonomy

    1. kingdomAnimalia
    2. phylumPorifera
    3. classDemospongiae
    4. orderClionaida
    5. familySpirastrellidae
    6. genusSpirastrella
    7. speciesSpirastrella coccinea (Duchassaing & Michelotti, 1864)

    SourcesWoRMSSeaLifeBase

    06

    More in the family

    Clionaida