Common name: azure vase sponge

General information

The Azure Vase Sponge, Callyspongia plicifera, is a striking sponge species known for its vibrant blue color and vase-like shape, which adds a touch of natural beauty to any reef aquarium. Sponges are some of the simplest multicellular organisms, lacking true tissues and organs, but they play a crucial role in marine ecosystems by filtering water and providing habitat for other organisms.

Care

Callyspongia plicifera requires a well-established aquarium with stable water conditions and moderate to strong water flow to mimic its natural environment. It is essential to maintain high water quality as sponges are sensitive to elevated levels of nitrates and phosphates. They are filter feeders, so providing a constant supply of fine particulate organic matter or plankton is necessary for their nutrition.

Reproduction

Sponges can reproduce both sexually and asexually. In the aquarium, asexual reproduction through budding or fragmentation is more common. Fragments that break off can attach to substrate and grow into new individuals.

Habitat

The Azure Vase Sponge is typically found in the Caribbean Sea and adjacent waters. It prefers shallow to mid-depth reef environments where it can attach to hard substrates and receive ample water flow for feeding.