Common name: Elephant Ear Sponge
General information
The Elephant Ear Sponge, Phyllospongia lamellosa, is a species of marine sponge found in the warm waters of the Indo-Pacific region. This sponge is known for its distinctive ear-like shape and lamellar structure, which provides a large surface area for filtering water. It is a filter feeder, consuming microscopic plankton and organic particles suspended in the water.
Details
- Recommended minimum tank volume
- 100 liter (26 gallons)
- Salinity
- S.G. 1.023 to 1.025
- Temperature
- 24 to 27 °C (75 to 81 °F)
- Acidity
- pH 8.1 to 8.4
- Average size
- 30 cm (1′)
- Care level
- Moderate to easy Requires stable water conditions
- Diet
- Omnivore Feeds on microorganisms
- Reefsafe
- Yes
- Aggression
- Peaceful
- Captive bred
- No
Taxonomy
- KingdomAnimalsAnimalia
- PhylumSpongesPorifera
- ClassDemospongesDemospongiae
- OrderSponge Order DictyoceratidaDictyoceratida
- FamilySiliceous SpongesThorectidae
- GenusLamellate spongePhyllospongia
- SpeciesElephant Ear SpongePhyllospongia lamellosa (Esper, 1794)
- SynonymsCacospongia lamellosa (Esper, 1794)Carteriospongia radiata Hyatt, 1877Carteriospongia radiata complexa Hyatt, 1877Carteriospongia radiata dulsiana Hyatt, 1877Mauricea lacinulosa Carter, 1877Phyllospongia madagascariensis (Hyatt, 1877)Phyllospongia radiata (Hyatt, 1877)Spongia laciniata Lamarck, 1814Spongia lamellosa Esper, 1794Spongia polyphylla Lamarck, 1814Strepsichordaia radiata (Hyatt, 1877)
Care
Phyllospongia lamellosa requires a well-established reef aquarium with stable water conditions and moderate to strong water flow to mimic its natural habitat. It is essential to maintain high water quality, as sponges are sensitive to elevated levels of nitrates and other pollutants. They do not require additional feeding, as they will filter feed from the water column.
Reproduction
Sponges like Phyllospongia lamellosa reproduce both sexually and asexually. Sexual reproduction involves the release of sperm into the water column, which then fertilizes eggs in other sponges. Asexually, they can reproduce by budding, where a part of the sponge breaks off and develops into a new individual.
Habitat
Phyllospongia lamellosa is typically found on reef slopes and overhangs in the Indo-Pacific region. They are often seen at depths ranging from shallow waters to deeper reef areas, where they attach to hard substrates.