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Home > Invertebrates
> Sponges
Phylum
Porifera, Sponges
| Sponges are filter-feeders composed of flagellated cells
reinforced by spongin fiber and (usually) tiny structural rods
called spicules. These spicules (or absence thereof) are
used for species identification in the lab; field identification
in person or by photograph is not especially reliable. They
may be soft and delicate or hard as rock. Sponges are
effective biological filters, extracting bacteria from the
current, improving water quality. Chemicals extracted from
these bacteria are then utilized for defense from grazing
organisms, and may contribute to the sponge's coloration.
Despite this, some fish and mollusks prey upon specific types of
sponge. Due to the sharp spicules and toxic chemicals,
contact should be avoided. Many species are found worldwide,
carried from place to place on ship hulls or in ballast water. |
HAWAII
Liosina
paradoxa
PARADOXICAL SPONGE
| Locally common at scuba depths. Attains height of 4
inches. Hawaii & the Indo-Pacific. |
Leiodermatium
sp.
Sharks Cove, Oahu, 25 feet
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WAVY CAVE SPONGE
Dysidea
herbacea
Okoe Bay, Hawaii, 45 feet |
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BLUE DYSIDEA
| Common on reefs exposed to surge. |
Halichondria
coerulea
Makai Pier, Waimanalo, Oahu, 6 feet
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TURQUOISE TUBE SPONGE
Chondrosia chucalla
Makapu'u tidepool, Oahu |
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MEANDERING SPONGE
| Common on reefs exposed to wave action. Hawaii & the
Indo-Pacific. |
Spirastrealla vagabunda
Kewalo, Oahu, Hawaii, 40 feet |
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VAGABOND BORING SPONGE
| A common species that erodes calcareous rock using acid. Hawaii
& the Indo-Pacific. |
Leucetta sp.
Blowhole, Oahu, 20 feet |
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PINK LEUCETTA
| Common on cavern ceilings exposed to surge. |
Hyrtios sp.
Blowhole, Oahu, 20 feet |
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YELLOW HYRTIOS
| Common on cavern ceilings exposed to surge. Surface has
prominent ridges. |
Phorbas sp.
Kewalo Pipe, Oahu, 50 feet |
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RED PHORBAS
| Locally common on reefs. Soft with gentle ridges between pores. |
Assorted
species
Blowhole, Oahu, 20 feet
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Pearl & Hermes Reef lagoon, 30 feet |
Mokuleia Bay, Maui, 20 feet
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Blowhole, Oahu, 20 feet |
Makapu'u tidepool, Oahu
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Moku O Loe, Kaneohe Bay, Oahu, 6 feet
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Firehouse, Oahu, 25 feet
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Ft. Kamehameha, Oahu, 3 feet
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Ft. Kamehameha, Oahu, 8 feet
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Moku O Loe, Kaneohe Bay, Oahu, 5 feet
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Sea Tiger Wreck, Oahu, 85 feet
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Blowhole, Oahu, 25 feet
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Cargo Pier, Midway Atoll, 6 feet
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100-foot Hole, Waikiki, Oahu, 85 feet
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Kewalo Hump, Oahu, 90 feet
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Moku O Loe, Kaneohe Bay, Oahu, 4 feet
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INDO-PACIFIC
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Dysidea sp.
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Wakatobi, Indonesia
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WESTERN
ATLANTIC
Plakortis sp.
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Amoray Resort, Key Largo, FL, 3 feet |
Giant Barrel Sponge, Xestospongia muta
9-foot Stake, Key West, 25 feet
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