Giant barrel sponge

Xestospongia muta · The giant barrel sponge is the largest sponge species found growing on Caribbean coral reefs, common at depths of 10 to 120 metres.

Giant barrel sponge
Photo: Twilight Zone Expedition Team 2007, NOAA-OE ., Public domain
Giant barrel sponge
Photo: Eltonatlarge, CC BY-SA 4.0
Giant barrel sponge
Photo: Diego Delso, CC BY-SA 4.0

Taxonomy

KingdomAnimalia
PhylumPorifera
ClassDemospongiae
OrderHaplosclerida
FamilyPetrosiidae
GenusXestospongia
SpeciesXestospongia muta

Where it lives

Coral reefs of the Caribbean, the Bahamas and Florida.

Fun facts

  • Nicknamed the "redwood of the reef," this sponge can live for more than 2,000 years.
  • It can grow into a barrel-shaped giant up to 1.8 metres (6 feet) across.
  • The oldest individual ever photographed was estimated to be a staggering 2,300 years old.
  • Its growth speed varies wildly between individuals, from over 400% a year to just 2% a year.

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Facts and taxonomy adapted from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0).