Pink Tube Sponge

Appearance

Tube-shaped sponge, widening from the base to its upper opening, blue to pink in color. Generally solitary.

Distribution

Widespread, described as from Indo/West Pacific but also repoted in Mediterranean and Red seas.

Habitat

Estuaries, lagoons, coastal and off-shore reefs. 2-35 m deep.

Reproduction

Members of the class Demospongiae are hermaphroditic. The zygote develops into parenchymella larva (free-swimming) before settling down on a substrate where it grows into a young sponge.

Food

It is a filter feeder and feeds on bacteria and other small organisms.