Species · GBIF taxon 5183724
Red Boring Sponge
Cliona delitrixAlso known as Red Encrusting Sponge, Coral-boring Sponge
Red boring sponges are vibrant, encrusting organisms that actively excavate and inhabit the limestone skeletons of live or dead stony corals. They display a brilliant orange to scarlet coloration, punctuated by large, pale-rimmed exhalant pores that filter massive quantities of seawater daily. While they play a vital role in recycling calcium carbonate on Caribbean reefs, their aggressive growth can weaken coral structures and accelerate reef erosion.
MarineReef-DwellerInvertebrate
- diet
- Bacterioplankton, microscopic algae, and dissolved organic matter
- family
- Clionaidae
- threats
- Ocean acidification, warming sea temperatures, and loss of host coral species
- life Span
- Several decades
NE
Safe to observe at a normal distance.
- Look for the color: Spot these sponges by their bright red or orange encrusting patches on living or dead coral heads.
- Observe the pores: Look closely to see the prominent, white-ringed exhalant pores dotting the sponge's surface.
- Do not touch: Avoid touching the sponge or the host coral to prevent damaging the fragile reef structure.