Common name: Branching Vase Sponge
General information
The Branching Vase Sponge, Callyspongia muricina, is a fascinating and visually appealing species that adds a touch of diversity to any reef aquarium. This sponge is known for its tree-like structure and intricate network of vase-shaped branches. It comes in a variety of colors, including shades of purple, brown, and green, which can add a vibrant contrast to the typical reef environment.
Sponges like Callyspongia muricina are filter feeders, playing a crucial role in the ecosystem by cleaning the water as they feed on bacteria and particulate organic matter. They are also interesting from a scientific perspective due to their simple cellular organization and lack of true tissues and organs.
Details
- Recommended minimum tank volume
- 100 liter (26 gallons)
- Salinity
- S.G. 1.023 to 1.026
- Temperature
- 24 to 28 °C (75 to 82 °F)
- Acidity
- pH 7.8 to 8.4
- Average size
- 30 cm (1′)
- Care level
- Moderate to easy Requires stable water conditions
- Diet
- Planktonivore Feeds on plankton in the water column
- Reefsafe
- Yes
- Aggression
- Peaceful
- Captive bred
- No
Taxonomy
- KingdomAnimalsAnimalia
- PhylumSpongesPorifera
- ClassDemospongesDemospongiae
- OrderHaplosclerida spongesHaplosclerida
- FamilyCallyspongiaCallyspongiidae
- GenusCallyspongiaCallyspongia
- SpeciesBranching Vase SpongeCallyspongia muricina (Lamarck, 1814)
- SynonymsSpongia muricina Lamarck, 1814
Care
Callyspongia muricina requires a well-established aquarium with stable water conditions. They thrive in moderate to strong water flow, which facilitates their filter-feeding behavior. Lighting should be moderate, as high-intensity lighting can promote the growth of algae on the sponge's surface, which can be detrimental.
It's important to note that sponges should never be exposed to air, as trapped air bubbles can cause tissue necrosis. When introducing a sponge to the aquarium, it should be carefully acclimated and placed in the water without ever leaving it.
Reproduction
Sponges reproduce both sexually and asexually. In the aquarium, asexual reproduction is more common, where a piece of the sponge breaks off and attaches to a substrate to form a new individual. Sexual reproduction involves the release of gametes into the water column, but this is less likely to occur in a home aquarium setting.
Habitat
In the wild, Callyspongia muricina is found in shallow to moderately deep waters, typically on reef slopes and overhangs where water flow is consistent. They are distributed across the Caribbean Sea and the western Atlantic Ocean.
Hobbyists should aim to replicate these conditions as closely as possible to ensure the health and growth of the sponge in captivity.