Red encrusting sponge

Appearance

This sponge is encrusting, fine, slightly lobed, red in color with floured appearance. The surface presents a network of veins marked in white, converging on the exhalant oscules raised and surrounded by a membrane. The inhalant pores are small and hardly visible to the naked eye. The skeleton is formed by spicules: megascleras, straight, slender tylostyles, oval head, pointed termination and microscleres: isochelae. Size 10- 25 cm.

Distribution

Western Central Pacific: Indonesia.

Behavior

Considered to be invasive.

Habitat

It is found on coral reefs. Depth 8 - 25 m possible max 40 m

Reproduction

The class Demosphongiae is hermaphrodite. Reproduction is sexual. The male and female gametes, after fertilization, give rise to planktonic ciliated (free swimming) lavers which will settle and develop on the substrate.

Food

It feeds by filtration, planktonic microorganisms.