Xestospongia testudinaria (Barrel sponge)
The barrel sponge is one of the largest species. They can be various shades of brown in color, have deeply ridged and hard surfaces and can attain well over 1 meter in height. The rim is thin and delicate.
Unassessed by the IUCN Red list, but widely distributed across the tropics.
Indo-Pacific; from Indonesia, the Philippines to Australia and New Guinea. They can be found in singular or in small groups on coral flates and reef faces, in a depth range of 2-55 meters.
Barrel sponges are hermaphroditic (having both sexes simultaneously). The zygote develops into a free-swimming larva and travels along the water column before settling to the bottom to develop into a new sponge.
Up to 200cm. in height.
Filter feeder. Sponges create a water flow through their bodies, collecting food particles as it passes.
Apart from being conspicuous and large, the barrel sponges also contain a variety of life within their barrel, such as squat lobsters, shrimps, gobies and sea cucumbers.
