Species · GBIF taxon 2245973
Azure Vase Sponge
Callyspongia pliciferaAlso known as Pink Vase Sponge, Caribbean Vase Sponge
Azure vase sponges are stunning, fluorescent marine invertebrates characterized by their deeply ridged, vase-like structures that glow in hues of pink, purple, and blue. They pump massive volumes of seawater through their porous walls to filter out microscopic plankton and bacteria. These structural wonders provide critical shelter for small reef fish, brittle stars, and snapping shrimp within Caribbean reef ecosystems.
MarineFilter FeederColorful
Licensed referencePauline Walsh Jacobson / CC BY 4.0 · cc-by
—observations
—countries
—peak records
Not EvaluatedConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXNot Evaluated — not placed on the risk ladderRed List categories, explained →
Diet & prey
- Bacteria
- Phytoplankton
- Detritus
Predators
- Hawksbill Sea Turtle
- Nudibranchs
- Angelfish
ThreatsOcean warming, sedimentation, physical damage from anchors and divers
HabitatsCoral reefs, drop-offs, and deep rocky ledges
Life spanUp to 20 years or more
Size / weightNot available
Classification
- FamilyCallyspongiidae
- SpeciesCallyspongia plicifera
Range data is not available yet.
Interaction riskLow
- Low
- Moderate
- High
- Very high
- Why interaction risk is low
- Safe to observe at a normal distance.
- What to notice
- Look for a bright pink, blue, or purple vase-like shape with deeply convoluted, ridged outer walls.
- Support conservation
- Maintain excellent buoyancy control when diving nearby and never touch or anchor near them.
Responsible observation
- Maintain buoyancy: Avoid touching or kicking the delicate, brittle structure while diving.
- Look inside: Peer gently into the central opening to spot symbiotic shrimp or brittle stars.
- Use a dive light: Bring a torch to reveal the true pink and purple colors at depth.
Predator "Hawksbill Turtle" by Tchami is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0. To view a copy of this license, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0/. · cc-by-sa
Reef Companion (c) NOAA Photo Library, some rights reserved (CC BY) · cc-by
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