Page 21 - Caribbean Reef Life Demo

CRYPTIC SPONGE
(Leucetta oridana) < 30 cm / 12 in
Short tubes in white to pale pastel colors. Found growing upside down, often in channels or more turbid water.
Many sponges will actually grow into the limestone of the reef, rather than growing out and away from it. They secrete chemicals that dissolve existing coral heads and allow them to burrow into the substrate. Their excurrent openings can extend down below the level of the reef.
PALE CALCAREOUS SPONGE (Leucaltis clathria) < 10 cm / 4 in nterconnected in to hite tu es ith a isi le s eletal structure. Often a shiny surface. Found under ledges.
YELLOW CALCAREOUS SPONGE (Arthuria canariensis) < 10 cm / 4 in Interconnected bright yellow tubes with raised excurrent openings. Visible internal structure. Found under ledges.
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