Size

Colony height and width: to 10cm (4")

Recognition Characters

Sponge forms beautiful colonies of intricate design. Sponge arises from narrow peduncle and then divides multiple times to form a complicated network of branching and anastomosing septa. Sponge is very tough in consistency. Overall shape is somewhat spherical.

Color

Bright red or red or orange

Habitat & Depth

Tropical and temperate reefs. To 40m depth.

Distribution at GRNMS

Common. Found on tops of ledges and rocky outcroppings.

Geographic Range

North Carolina south to the Bahamas

Behavior & Notes

This sponge is commonly inhabited by small, colonial zooanthids.

Synonyms

Microciona prolifera

References

Wells et al. 1960