Species · GBIF taxon 2239271
Stove-pipe Sponge
Aplysina archeriAlso known as Stovepipe Sponge, Lavender Tube Sponge
Stove-pipe sponges rise from Caribbean coral reefs in striking, organ-pipe clusters of lavender, pink, or grey tubes that can reach the height of a human. These ancient, slow-growing filter feeders pump massive volumes of seawater through their porous walls to capture microscopic plankton and organic debris. Over centuries of steady growth, their hollow structures provide vital shelter for a diverse community of small reef fish, crabs, and marine invertebrates.
MarineFilter FeederReef Dweller
- diet
- Plankton and suspended organic detritus
- family
- Aplysinidae
- threats
- Marine pollution, oil spills, and physical damage from anchors or divers
- life Span
- Hundreds of years
NE
Safe to observe at a normal distance.
These sponges take hundreds of years to grow and are highly vulnerable to physical damage from anchors, divers, and marine pollution.
Never touch, hold, or rest gear on the tubes, and maintain excellent buoyancy control when swimming nearby.- Maintain buoyancy: Avoid touching or bumping into these fragile, slow-growing tubes while diving.
- Look inside: Peer carefully down the hollow tubes to spot tiny symbiotic gobies or crabs.
- Watch for currents: Observe how the tubes sway slightly in deep ocean currents without collapsing.