Hairy Olives Sponge

Appearance

About 2cm in diameter, spherical covered with short, fine spines. May be slightly flattened at the top. There is a single large hole at the top. Called the oscule, this is where water is expelled from the tiny sponge. Colour usually dull olive green, may also be yellow.

Distribution

Indo-Pacific.

Habitat

This tiny spherical olive-coloured and olive-shaped sponges with fine filaments are sometimes seen sprinkled on coral rubble or even on other sponges. This sponge is highly tolerant of silt and can be found on most reefs.

Reproduction

This sponge is hermaphrodite. Reproduction is sexual and asexual. Male and female gametes give rise to ciliated larvae (free swimming). After fertilization they will come to settle and develop on the substrate. Asexual: A fragment can also give birth to another sponge.

Food

It feeds on planktonic microorganisms by filtration.