Sponges of the Sea

Contrary to popular belief, sea sponges are animals, not plants. They are the most simple of animals and contain no nerves, muscles or sensory organs. They are used as a food source for different ocean creatures such as sea turtles and for cosmetic purposes by humans. There are many types of sea sponges and they vary in shape and size.

  1. Tube Sponge

    • One of the most common species of sponge is the tube sponge. The sponge is comprised of long tube-like growths radiating from a central point. They are found in different colors, including purple, blue, gray and a greenish gray. The blue coloring makes them distinctive because there are very few other invertebrates found in coral reefs that can be that color.

    Vase Sponge

    • Found off the coast of Florida and around the Caribbean, the vase sponge has a vase-like shape. They look similar to a large bell that has been flipped upside down. They are a larger species of sponge that generally grow about 2 feet in width and 3 feet tall. The vase sponge can be a number of colors, including red, brown or purple. They are usually found near the sandy ocean floor, firmly attached to rocks.

    Yellow Sponge

    • The yellow sponge comes not only in shades of yellow but also in oranges. It is a smaller species of sponge that grows in large groups in the Pacific waters off the coast of North America. When the yellow sponge grows, it tends to encrust the rocks around coral reefs.

    Red Tree Sponge

    • The name of the red tree sponge is very descriptive of its appearance. It is a bright red sponge with tree-like branches. It is a common Caribbean sponge. The average size of the species is around 8 inches tall. It is one of the varieties of sponges that survive well in the home aquarium as long as the light level is low and there is a constant, yet moderate, flow of water.

    Barrel Sponge

    • The barrel sponge is among the largest species of sponges. It can grow large enough for a human being to swim inside. It is usually found at a depth of 10 meters or so. According to the University of North Carolina Wilmington, little is known about the basic life cycles of barrel sponges. How they grow, reproduce and their life expectancy is unknown.

    Sea Squirt

    • As with all types of sponges, there are many species of sea squirts, all of which are generally found in deep waters. They are commonly found on coral reefs as they grow in groups known as colonies. They have bodies that look like open bags and they use their large openings to siphon water in and out. They are also sometimes called sea grapes because colonies of sea squirts look like a bunch of grapes.

    Tunicate

    • A tunicate is like a sea squirt. Their large mouth-like openings are used to pull water into the body. Nutrients are then pulled out of the water and the used water is pushed back out through a second opening in the sponge. They come in many colors, including red, purple and yellow, all of which are semi-transparent. Like sea squirts, they also grow in groups on coral reefs.