Common name: Stinker Sponge

General information

The Stinker Sponge, scientifically known as Ircinia campana, is a species of sponge found in various marine environments. This sponge is known for its unique chemical defense mechanism, which releases a foul-smelling compound when disturbed, hence the common name 'Stinker Sponge'. It has a distinctive bell shape and a rough, textured surface, often hosting a variety of microorganisms on its surface.

Care

Ircinia campana is not commonly kept in home aquariums due to its specific requirements and the difficulty in replicating its natural environment. However, for advanced hobbyists willing to take on the challenge, maintaining high water quality with low levels of nitrates and phosphates is crucial. Adequate water flow is also necessary to mimic the sponge's natural habitat and to facilitate feeding, as sponges are filter feeders.

Reproduction

Sponges, including Ircinia campana, have a unique reproductive strategy that includes both asexual and sexual reproduction. Asexual reproduction occurs through budding or fragmentation, while sexual reproduction involves the release of sperm into the water column to fertilize eggs in other sponges. The resulting larvae are free-swimming and will settle on a suitable substrate to grow into a new sponge.

Symbiosis

Ircinia campana has interesting symbiotic relationships with various microorganisms, including bacteria and cyanobacteria, which live within its tissues. These microorganisms can contribute to the sponge's nutrition and are also involved in the production of the sponge's chemical defenses.

Habitat

The natural habitat of the Stinker Sponge is typically on rocky substrates and coral reefs in tropical and subtropical waters. They are often found at depths ranging from shallow waters to about 30 meters deep. Ircinia campana is distributed across the Caribbean Sea and the Gulf of Mexico.