Demosponge Collection

A yellow tube sponge (Aplysina fistularis) growing on a Caribbean coral reef, withsun burst above. East End, Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands, British West Indies. Caribbean Sea

Portrait of a Giant frogfish (Antennarius commersoni) on a large Yellow elephant ear sponge (Ianthella basta). Bitung, North Sulawesi, Indonesia. Lembeh Strait, Molucca Sea

Stove-pipe sponge (Aplysina archeri) and Orange elephant ear sponge (Agelas clathrodes) Bonaire, Netherlands Antilles, Caribbean, Atlantic Ocean

Portrait of Blacktip grouper (Epinephelus fasciatus) resting in Barrel sponge (Xestospongia testudinaria) Mabul Island, Sabah, Borneo, Malaysia. Sulawesi Sea

Parasitic worms and tapeworms, Bothriocephalus coronatus 1, Bothriocephalus corolla 2, and pike tapeworm, Triaenophorus nodulosus 3. Bothriocefalo coronato, B. corolla, Trienoforo noduloso

A reef scene with an orange elephant ear sponge (Ianthella basta) and red sea whip (Ellisella sp) with schooling silversides fish above. Pelee Island, Misool, Raja Ampat, West Papua, Indonesia

Giant barrel sponge (Xestospongia testudinaria) releases a large cloud of gametes as it spawns on a coral reef, while a Threadfin hawkfish (Cirrhitichthys aprinus) looks

Endemic sponge (Lubomirskia baicalensis) encrusting rocks and branches on the lake floor, Lake Baikal, Siberia, Russia. July

Ribbon sweetlips (Plectorhinchus polytaenia) at Giant barrel sponge (Xestospongia muta) Tulamben, North coast, Bali, Indonesia. Lesser Sunda Islands

Pennant coralfish (Heniochus acuminatus) at Giant barrel sponge (Xestospongia muta) Bali tropical reef community, Tulamben, North coast, Bali, Indonesia. Lesser Sunda Islands

Yellow umbrella slug (Tylodina perversa) feeding on Golden sponge (Aplysina aerophoba). Tenerife, Canary Islands

Young Stone sculpin (Paracottus knerii), on endemic sponge (Lubomirskia baicalensis), Lake Baikal, Siberia, Russia

Aggregation of tiny isopods (Santia sp. ) living on the surface of a Blue sponge (Haliclona sp)
Aggregation of tiny isopods (Santia sp.) living on the surface of a Blue sponge (Haliclona sp.), there are two colour varieties here, possibly different species

Yellow tube sponge (Aplysina fistularis) on a coral reef, with the camera rotated during the long exposure. East End, Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands. British West Indies. Caribbean Sea

Female Tassled wobbegong shark (Eucrossorhinus dasypogon) rests alongside stand of Barrel sponges (Xestospongia testudinaria) Blue Magic, Raja Ampat, West Papua, Indonesia

Orange icing sponge (Mycale laevis) growing on Mountainous star coral (Orbicella faveolata) at an early stage of growth, Cayman Islands, Caribbean Sea

Giant barrel sponge (Xestospongia muta) within coral reef. Utila Island, Honduras. Caribbean Sea

Suensons brittle star (Ophiothrix suensonii) on Azure vase sponge (Callyspongia plicifera), St. Vincent, Caribbean

Fossil of extinct demosponge Verticillites 1, Rubula soldanii 2, and Nubecularia lucifuga 3
6338416 Fossil of extinct demosponge Verticillites 1, Rubula soldanii 2, and Nubecularia lucifuga 3 by Corsi (19th century); (add.info.: Fossil of extinct demosponge Verticillites 1)

Species of marine demosponges and soft corals
6338375 Species of marine demosponges and soft corals by Corsi (19th century); (add.info.: Species of marine demosponges and soft corals)

Spotted drum, Equetus punctatus Eques punctatus, Cavaliere punteggiato. Handcoloured copperplate stipple engraving from Antoine Laurent de Jussieus Dizionario delle Scienze Naturali

Orange sieve encrusting sponge (Diplastrella sp. ) and Red encrusting sponge
Orange sieve encrusting sponge (Diplastrella sp.) and Red encrusting sponge (Monanchora barbadensis), Cienaga de Zapata National Park, Matanzas Province, Cuba

Red encrusting sponge (Monanchora barbadensis), Cienaga de Zapata National Park, Matanzas Province, Cuba

Spotlight goby (Gobiosoma louisae) looking out from inside a Yellow tube sponge (Aplysina fistularis), growing on a coral reef. Bloody Bay Wall, Little Cayman, Cayman Islands, British West Indies

Neptunes Cup Sponge, Cliona patera, a species of demosponge from the Clionaida family. From The Universe or, The Infinitely Great and the Infinitely Little, published 1882

Breadcrumb Sponge (Halichondria panicea) under rock, Kimmeridge, Isle of Purbeck, Dorset, England, March

Laosciadia (Calcisponge), a fossilised, lithistid demosponge, Cretaceous era

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"Demosponge: A Colorful Symphony of Life in the Ocean Depths" In the vibrant depths of a Caribbean coral reef, a yellow tube sponge (Aplysina fistularis) thrives, adding a burst of sunshine to its surroundings. Its delicate structure provides shelter and sustenance for an array of marine creatures. A portrait captures the captivating sight of a Giant frogfish (Antennarius commersoni) perched upon a large Yellow elephant ear sponge. This fascinating symbiotic relationship showcases nature's ability to create unique partnerships. Bonaire's underwater world reveals the enchanting beauty of a Stove-pipe sponge (Aplysina archeri) and an Orange elephant ear sponge (Agelas clathrodes). These sponges stand as colorful sentinels amidst the diverse marine ecosystem that calls this place home. Resting peacefully within a Barrel sponge lies a majestic Blacktip grouper (Epinephelus fasciatus), showcasing how these sponges serve as tranquil sanctuaries for various fish species seeking refuge from the currents. While sponges may seem innocent, they also play host to parasitic worms and tapeworms, reminding us that even in paradise, nature's balance can be both beautiful and complex. An orange elephant ear sponge (Ianthella basta) paints an ethereal scene on the reef canvas. Its intricate patterns mesmerize divers who witness its grandeur firsthand while exploring beneath the waves. The Giant barrel sponge (Xestospongia testudinaria) releases clouds of gametes into the water column during reproduction—an awe-inspiring spectacle that highlights their vital role in maintaining biodiversity within our oceans. Far away from tropical shores, endemic sponges like Lubomirskia baicalensis encrust rocks and branches on lake floors. These resilient organisms remind us that life finds ways to thrive even in seemingly inhospitable environments.