Common name: Stinker Sponge

Scientific name: Ircinia felix (Duchassaing & Michelotti, 1864)

General information

The Stinker Sponge, scientifically known as Ircinia felix, is a species of sponge found in the Caribbean Sea. It is known for its strong, unpleasant odor when removed from the water, which is where its common name 'Stinker Sponge' originates. This sponge has a rough, textured surface and can vary in color from dark brown to greenish-black.

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 8 to 8.4
Average size
30 cm (1′)
Care level
Moderate to easy Requires stable water conditions.
Diet
Planktivore Filters water for plankton.
Reefsafe
Yes
Aggression
Peaceful
Captive bred
No

Taxonomy

  1. Kingdom
    Animals
    Animalia
  2. Phylum
    Sponges
    Porifera
  3. Class
    Demosponges
    Demospongiae
  4. Order
    Sponge Order Dictyoceratida
    Dictyoceratida
  5. Family
    Irciniidae Sponges
    Irciniidae
  6. Genus
    Ircinia Sponge
    Ircinia
  7. Species
    Stinker Sponge
    Ircinia felix (Duchassaing & Michelotti, 1864)
  8. Synonyms
    Hircinia armata (Duchassaing & Michelotti, 1864)
    Hircinia armata fistularis Verrill, 1907
    Hircinia campana felix (Duchassaing & Michelotti, 1864)
    Hircinia filamenta Hyatt, 1877
    Hircinia fistularis Verrill, 1907
    Hircinia nigra Hyatt, 1877
    Ircinia felix acuta Duchassaing & Michelotti, 1864
    Ircinia felix fistularis (Verrill, 1907)
    Ircinia fistularis (Verrill, 1907)
    Polytherses acuta Duchassaing & Michelotti, 1864
    Polytherses armata Duchassaing & Michelotti, 1864
    Polytherses columnaris Duchassaing & Michelotti, 1864
    Polytherses felix Duchassaing & Michelotti, 1864

Care

Ircinia felix is not commonly kept in home aquariums due to its odor and specific care requirements. However, for advanced hobbyists with a species-specific setup, it is possible to maintain this sponge. It requires a well-established tank with stable water conditions and strong water flow to mimic its natural environment. It is a filter feeder, relying on the water flow to bring food particles to it.

Reproduction

Sponges, including Ircinia felix, have a unique reproductive strategy that includes both asexual and sexual reproduction. They can reproduce asexually through budding or fragmentation, and sexually by releasing sperm into the water column to fertilize eggs in other sponges.

Habitat

Ircinia felix is typically found in shallow waters on coral reefs or rocky substrates in the Caribbean. It prefers areas with moderate to strong currents which facilitate its filter-feeding lifestyle.