Size

Colony height and width: 30cm (1")

Recognition Characters

This is the typical form of this sponge. Growth form felix is crustose, with raised oscula, or massive, with 1-2mm conules on surface. It can have two other forms, growth form fistularis with simple erect hollow branches and terminal oscula and growth form acuta which can be conical or massive, with elevated oscula, and large (2-4 mm) conuli. This sponge has a very distinctive odor when exposed to the air. The entire genus contains filamentous spongin threads filling the choanosome, which make the sponges extremely tough and difficult to tear and gives it reticulated sand pattern on surface.

Color

Purple to white, pinkish-purplish. Often mottled with various shades or pink, white, and purple.

Habitat & Depth

Tropical and temperate reefs. To 40m depth.

Distribution at GRNMS

Abundant. Found on tops of ledges, crevices, and rocky outcroppings. Grows in various shapes.

Geographic Range

Caribbean, Gulf of Mexico, and Western Atlantic to Virginia

Behavior & Notes

Synonyms

References

Wells et al. 1960, Sterrer 1986