Common name: Red Tree Sponge
General information
Clathria procera, commonly known as the Red Tree Sponge, is a species of marine sponge found in reef environments. Unlike plants, sponges are simple multicellular animals that filter feed by pumping water through their porous bodies to extract nutrients. The Red Tree Sponge is particularly noted for its vibrant red coloration and branching tree-like structure, which adds a unique aesthetic to any reef aquarium.
Details
- Recommended minimum tank volume
- 100 liter (26 gallons)
- Salinity
- S.G. 1.023 to 1.025
- Temperature
- 22 to 26 °C (72 to 79 °F)
- Acidity
- pH 8.1 to 8.4
- Average size
- 10 cm (4″)
- Care level
- Moderate to easy Requires stable conditions.
- Diet
- Carnivore Feeds on microorganisms in water.
- Reefsafe
- Yes
- Aggression
- Peaceful
- Captive bred
- No
Taxonomy
- KingdomAnimalsAnimalia
- PhylumSpongesPorifera
- ClassDemospongesDemospongiae
- OrderPoecilosclerid SpongesPoecilosclerida
- FamilyRed Encrusting SpongeMicrocionidae
- GenusClathria SpongesClathria
- SpeciesRed Tree SpongeClathria procera (Ridley, 1884)
- SynonymsClathria procera tesselata Dendy, 1905Clathria spiculosa (Dendy, 1889)Clathria spiculosa macilenta Hentschel, 1912Clathria spiculosa ramosa DendyClathria spiculosa tessellata DendyClathria spiculosa ramosa Dendy, 1905Clathria spiculosa tessellata Dendy, 1905Echinonema gracilis Ridley, 1884Rhaphidophlus procerus Ridley, 1884Rhaphidophlus spiculosus Dendy, 1889
Care
Red Tree Sponges require a well-established aquarium with stable water conditions. They are non-photosynthetic and rely on water flow to deliver their food. It is essential to provide a moderate to strong water current and to supplement their diet with dissolved organic matter or fine particulate foods. They should be placed in an area of the tank where they receive indirect lighting to avoid algae growth on their surfaces.
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 sperm into the water column, which then fertilizes eggs in other sponges.
Habitat
Clathria procera is typically found in the Caribbean Sea and adjacent waters. They inhabit various reef zones, often attaching to hard substrates in areas with strong water movement.