Xestospongia muta (Schmidt, 1870)
Giant barrel sponge
No Picture Available

Family:  Petrosiidae ()
Max. size:  250 cm WD (male/unsexed)
Environment:  reef-associated; brackish; marine; depth range 0 - 69 m
Distribution:  Western Atlantic.
Diagnosis:  Barrel shaped, with thick walls. Purple to red brown externally, tan internally. Surface with protuberances with round or blade-like outlines. Brittle and crumbly in consistency. Oscules on the inner side of vase; 0.2 - 0.3 cm (Ref. 415).
Biology:  Maximum depth reported taken from Ref. 128739.. Maximum length refers to base diameter (Ref. 99323). Common on reef environments (Ref. 415). Also found in mangroves (Ref. 86836). Inhabits shallow coral reefs, coral communities, coralline algae reefs, algal nodules, and mesophotic reefs (Ref. 128739).
IUCN Red List Status: Not Evaluated (N.E.) Ref. 123251)
Threat to humans: 
Country info:   
 

Source and more info: www.sealifebase.org. For personal, classroom, and other internal use only. Not for publication.