Demospongiae 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

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

Breadcrumb Sponge (Halichondria panicea) and other encrusting sponges. Channel Islands, UK, June

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

UW INDO 1995 30
Barrel Sponge - with sun in background, Pohon Miring dive site, Banda Besar Island, Banda Islands, Indonesia, Banda Sea Barrel Sponge - with sun in background, Pohon Miring dive site

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

Crinoids cling to a large sponge on a healthy coral reef near the island of Sulawesi, Indonesia. This beautiful, tropical region is home to an incredible variety of marine life

Bright sponges, soft corals and crinoids in a colorful Komodo seascape, Komodo National Park, Indonesia

Giant barrel sponge and sea whip in front of the Liberty Wreck, Bali
Giant barrel sponge and sea whip in front of the Liberty Wreck with diver in background, Tulamben, Bali, Indonesia

A diver looks on at a tassled scorpionfish lying in a barrel sponge
A diver looks on at a tassled scorpionfish (Scorpaenopis oxycephala) lying in a barrel sponge, Komodo National Park, Indonesia

Diver swims above a large sponge in Horseshoe Bay, Indonesia
Diver looks on at sponges, coral and crinoids in a colorful Komodo seascape, taken at Cannibal Rock, Horseshoe Bay, Komodo National Park, Indonesia

Fish swarm over a shipwreck that is covered in elephant ear sponge
Fish including bluefin trevally (Caranx melampygus), swarm over a shipwreck that is covered in elephant ear sponge, Solomon Islands

Diver looks on at sponges, soft corals and crinoids in a colorful Komodo seascape, Komodo National Park, Indonesia

A large barrel sponge grows on a reef dropoff near Sulawesi, Indonesia
A large barrel sponge grows on a reef dropoff in Bunaken Marine Park, near the island of Sulawesi, Indonesia. This beautiful, tropical region is home to an incredible variety of marine life

A barrel sponge attached to a reef wall, Papua New Guinea
A barrel sponge (Xestosongia testudinaria) attached to a reef wall on South Emma reef, Kimbe Bay, Papua New Guinea

Diver approaching giant barrel sponge on a reef, Raja Ampat
Diver approaching giant barrel sponge (Xestospongia muta) on a reef in Raja Ampat, West Papua, Indonesia

A scuba diver explores a reef with a large barrel sponge, Indonesia
A scuba diver explores a reef in Komodo National Park where large barrel sponges grow. This tropical region in Indonesia is known for its spectacular coral reefs and high marine biodiversity

A massive barrel sponge grows n the Solomon Islands
A massive barrel sponge grows on a steep dropoff in the Solomon Islands. This Melanesian region is known for its spectacular marine biodiversity

Detail of an encrusting sponge growing on a reef in Indonesia
Detail of an encrusting sponge growing on a reef in Komodo National Park, Indonesia. This tropical region in Indonesia is known for its spectacular coral reefs and high marine biodiversity

A diver looks into a cavern at a sponge, Gorontalo, Sulawesi, Indonesia

Top view of a pnk barrel sponge against the cyan reef bottom, Indonesia
Top view of a pnk barrel sponge looking like a saucer against the cyan reef bottom, Cenderawasih Bay, West Papua, Indonesia

Diver and elephant ear sponge, Raja Ampat, West Papua, Indonesia
Diver and elephant ear sponge (Ianthella basta), Raja Ampat, West Papua, Indonesia

Elephant ear sponge attached to a shipwreck, Solomon Islands
Elephant ear sponge (Ianthella basta) green-gray coloured attached to a shipwreck, with diver onlooking with torch, Solomon Islands

Barrel sponge and diver, Papua New Guinea
Barrel sponge (Xestospongia sp.) and diver, Restorf Island, Kimbe bay, Papua New Guinea

A diver looks on at a giant barrel sponge, Papua New Guinea
A diver looks on at a giant barrel sponge (Xestospongia testudinaria), Fathers reef, Kimbe Bay, Papua New Guinea

A large sponge with diver in the background, Gorontalo, Sulawesi, Indonesia

Diver with torchlight over large round pinkish barrel sponge, with sunlight in the distance, Spratly Islands, Malaysia

Scorpionfish hiding in a barrel sponge, Nassau, The Bahamas

Purple elephant ear sponge with diver, Papua New Guinea
Purple elephant ear sponge (Ianthella basta) with diver, Restorf Island, Kimbe Bay, Papua New Guinea

Curly bright orange sponge with greyish whip coral, Cenderawasih Bay, West Papua, Indonesia

A barrel sponge with a yellow crinoid attached, Papua New Guinea
A barrel sponge (Xestosongia testudinaria) attached to a reef wall on South Emma reef (Kimbe Bay) with a yellow crinoid attached, Papua New Guinea

A massive barrel sponge grows on a reef near Alor, Indonesia
A massive barrel sponge grows on a beautiful reef near Alor, Indonesia. This remote region is known for its beautiful reefs and spectacular marine biodiversity

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"Demospongiae: A Colorful World Underwater" A yellow tube sponge (Aplysina fistularis) gracefully grows on a Caribbean coral reef, adding vibrant hues to the underwater landscape. The portrait of a Giant frogfish (Antennarius commersoni) perched on a large Yellow elephant ear sponge showcases nature's camouflage at its finest. In Bonaire, the Stove-pipe sponge (Aplysina archeri) and Orange elephant ear sponge (Agelas clathrodes) create a stunning display of contrasting colors beneath the crystal-clear waters. Resting peacefully in a Barrel sponge, the Blacktip grouper (Epinephelus fasciatus) finds solace amidst this natural sanctuary of marine life. An enchanting reef scene unfolds as an orange elephant ear sponge (Ianthella basta) becomes home to various species, creating an intricate tapestry of life beneath the waves. Witnessing the majestic sight of a Giant barrel sponge (Xestospongia testudinaria) releasing a cloud of gametes reminds us of nature's incredible reproductive processes and interconnectedness. Endemic sponges like Lubomirskia baicalensis encrust rocks and branches on the lake floor, showcasing their adaptability and resilience in unique environments such as Lake Baikal. Ribbon sweetlips (Plectorhinchus polytaenia) gracefully swim alongside Giant barrel sponges (Xestospongia muta), forming an awe-inspiring spectacle that highlights symbiotic relationships in marine ecosystems. Pennant coralfish (Heniochus acuminatus) find refuge within Giant barrel sponges (Xestospongia muta), demonstrating how these structures provide shelter for various organisms within their porous walls.