Pink-and-Red Encrusting Sponge
Spirastrella coccinea
Also known as: Caribbean Marine Sponge, Caribbean Sponge, Demospongiae, Marine Sponge, Siliceous Sponge, Marine Sponge
- Caribbean Marine Sponge
- Caribbean Sponge
- Demospongiae
- Marine Sponge
- Siliceous Sponge
- Marine Sponge
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.
How to identify
Habitat & where to find it
- Range · Western Atlantic, Caribbean
- Country only · 2
Found between coral rubble over submarine caves and in mangrove ponds.
Adult photos 2
Discussion
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Deep dive
Taxonomy
- kingdomAnimalia
- phylumPorifera
- classDemospongiae
- orderClionaida
- familySpirastrellidae
- genusSpirastrella
- speciesSpirastrella coccinea (Duchassaing & Michelotti, 1864)
SourcesWoRMSSeaLifeBase
More in the family
Clionaida
