Common name: Demosponges

Demospongiae, commonly known as demosponges, represent the largest class within the phylum Porifera, comprising about 90% of all known sponge species. They are characterized by their highly diverse forms and structures, which can range from encrusting mats to massive barrel shapes. Demosponges are primarily marine organisms, although a few species inhabit freshwater environments.

One of the most distinctive features of demosponges is their skeleton, which is composed of spongin—a type of collagen protein—and/or silica-based spicules. This unique composition allows demosponges to exhibit a remarkable range of textures and flexibility, making them adaptable to various environmental conditions. These sponges are also known for their vibrant colors, which can be attributed to the presence of symbiotic algae and other microorganisms living within their tissues.

In the aquarium hobby, demosponges are appreciated for their aesthetic appeal and their role in natural filtration. They can help maintain water quality by filtering out particulate matter and bacteria. However, they require specific care to thrive in captivity, including stable water conditions, adequate flow, and sufficient light to support any symbiotic algae. Hobbyists should also be cautious when handling demosponges, as some species can release toxins if damaged.

Demosponges play a crucial ecological role in marine ecosystems. They contribute to nutrient cycling and provide habitat and food for a variety of marine organisms. Their ability to filter large volumes of water makes them integral to maintaining the health of coral reefs and other marine environments. Scientific research continues to explore their potential applications in biotechnology, particularly in the development of new pharmaceuticals and biomaterials.

1. Common name: Red Ball Sponge

   Scientific name: Aaptos suberitoides
2. Common name: Cactus Sponge

   Scientific name: Acanthella acuta
3. Common name: Cave Sponge

   Scientific name: Acanthella cavernosa
4. Common name: Klethra Sponge

   Scientific name: Acanthella klethra
5. 
   Common name: Branching Hammer Coral

   Scientific name: Adreus fascicularis
6. 
   Common name: orange elephant ear sponge

   Scientific name: Agelas clathrodes
7. 
   Common name: Brown Tube Sponge

   Scientific name: Agelas conifera
8. Common name: Rough Tube Sponge

   Scientific name: Agelas dispar
9. Common name: Fan Sponge

   Scientific name: Agelas flabelliformis
10. 
    Common name: Slimy Branching Sponge

    Scientific name: Agelas gracilis
11. Common name: Mauritian Sponge

    Scientific name: Agelas mauritiana
12. 
    Common name: Gold Sponge

    Scientific name: Agelas oroides
13. 
    Common name: Elephant Ear Sponge

    Scientific name: Agelas schmidtii
14. 
    Common name: Branching tube sponge

    Scientific name: Aiolochroia crassa
15. Common name: carrot-sponge

    Scientific name: Amphilectus fucorum
16. 
    Common name: erect rope sponge

    Scientific name: Amphimedon compressa
17. 
    Common name: Yellow tube sponge

    Scientific name: Aplysina aerophoba
18. 
    Common name: Stove Pipe Sponge

    Scientific name: Aplysina archeri
19. 
    Common name: row pore rope sponge

    Scientific name: Aplysina cauliformis
20. 
    Common name: Vase Sponge

    Scientific name: Aplysina cavernicola
21. 
    Common name: Yellow tube sponge

    Scientific name: Aplysina fistularis
22. 
    Common name: Stove Pipe Sponge

    Scientific name: Aplysina lacunosa
23. Common name: Living Fossil Sponge

    Scientific name: Astrosclera willeyana
24. Common name: Aru Sponge

    Scientific name: Axinella aruensis
25. 
    Common name: Axinella cannabina

    Scientific name: Axinella cannabina
26. 
    Common name: yellow sponge

    Scientific name: Axinella damicornis
27. 
    Common name: branching sponge

    Scientific name: Axinella dissimilis
28. Common name: Yellow Sponge

    Scientific name: Axinella flustra
29. 
    Common name: Axinella Polypoides

    Scientific name: Axinella polypoides
30. Common name: Rough Sponge

    Scientific name: Axinella verrucosa
31. Common name: Axinyssa ambrosia

    Scientific name: Axinyssa ambrosia
32. 
    Common name: Branching Vase Sponge

    Scientific name: Callyspongia aculeata
33. 
    Common name: Rope Sponge

    Scientific name: Callyspongia monilata
34. 
    Common name: Branching Vase Sponge

    Scientific name: Callyspongia muricina
35. 
    Common name: Azure Vase Sponge

    Scientific name: Callyspongia plicifera
36. Common name: Reticulated Sponge

    Scientific name: Callyspongia pseudoreticulata
37. Common name: Schulze's Sponge

    Scientific name: Callyspongia schulzei
38. 
    Common name: Blasser Röhrenschwamm

    Scientific name: Callyspongia siphonella
39. 
    Common name: Leaf sponge

    Scientific name: Carteriospongia foliascens
40. 
    Common name: chicken liver sponge

    Scientific name: Chondrilla nucula
41. 
    Common name: Kidney-shaped sponge

    Scientific name: Chondrosia reniformis
42. Common name: Australian Sponge

    Scientific name: Cinachyrella australiensis
43. Common name: Cored Chimney Sponge

    Scientific name: Ciocalypta penicillus
44. 
    Common name: Red Encrusting Sponge

    Scientific name: Clathria basilana
45. 
    Common name: Red Tree Sponge

    Scientific name: Clathria cervicornis
46. 
    Common name: Curacao Sponge

    Scientific name: Clathria curacaoensis
47. 
    Common name: Red Tree Sponge

    Scientific name: Clathria macropora
48. 
    Common name: Red Sponge

    Scientific name: Clathria mima
49. Common name: Red Tree Sponge

    Scientific name: Clathria procera
50. Common name: Reinwardt's Sponge

    Scientific name: Clathria reinwardti
51. Common name: Red Sponge

    Scientific name: Clathria tuberosa
52. 
    Common name: Caribbean Cliona Sponge

    Scientific name: Cliona caribbaea
53. 
    Common name: Yellow Sponge

    Scientific name: Cliona carteri
54. 
    Common name: boring sponge

    Scientific name: Cliona celata
55. 
    Common name: red boring sponge

    Scientific name: Cliona delitrix
56. Common name: Cliona viridis

    Scientific name: Cliona viridis
57. 
    Common name: Elephant Ear Sponge

    Scientific name: Collospongia auris
58. Common name: Crambe Sponge

    Scientific name: Crambe crambe
59. 
    Common name: Giant Barrel Sponge

    Scientific name: Cribrochalina vasculum
60. 
    Common name: Sponge Coral

    Scientific name: Cymbastela coralliophila
61. 
    Common name: Vase Sponge

    Scientific name: Desmacidon fruticosum
62. Common name: Star Sponge

    Scientific name: Diplastrella megastellata
63. Common name: Reticulate Sponge

    Scientific name: Dragmacidon reticulatum
64. 
    Common name: brown encrusting octopus sponge

    Scientific name: Ectyoplasia ferox
65. Common name: Deadman's Finger sponge

    Scientific name: Halichondria bowerbanki
66. Common name: Yellow Sponge

    Scientific name: Halichondria cartilaginea
67. 
    Common name: Breadcrumb Sponge

    Scientific name: Halichondria panicea
68. 
    Common name: Amboinensis Sponge

    Scientific name: Haliclona amboinensis
69. 
    Common name: Blue Sponge

    Scientific name: Haliclona caerulea
70. Common name: Finger Sponge

    Scientific name: Haliclona cymaeformis
71. 
    Common name: Haliclona fascigera

    Scientific name: Haliclona fascigera
72. Common name: Haliclona Fibulata

    Scientific name: Haliclona fibulata
73. 
    Common name: Mediterranean Sponge

    Scientific name: Haliclona mediterranea
74. 
    Common name: encrusting turret sponge

    Scientific name: Haliclona oculata
75. 
    Common name: Pink Sponge

    Scientific name: Haliclona rosea
76. Common name: Haliclona simulans

    Scientific name: Haliclona simulans
77. Common name: Haliclona Tubifera

    Scientific name: Haliclona tubifera
78. Common name: Haliclona Urceolus

    Scientific name: Haliclona urceolus
79. Common name: Blue Sponge

    Scientific name: Haliclona viscosa
80. Common name: Blue Sponge

    Scientific name: Halisarca caerulea
81. 
    Common name: Columella Sponge

    Scientific name: Hemimycale columella
82. Common name: Sponge

    Scientific name: Hyattella intestinalis
83. Common name: Hymedesmia paupertas

    Scientific name: Hymedesmia paupertas
84. Common name: crumb-of-bread sponge

    Scientific name: Hymeniacidon perlevis
85. 
    Common name: elephant ear sponge

    Scientific name: Ianthella basta
86. 
    Common name: Elephant Ear Sponge

    Scientific name: Ianthella flabelliformis
87. Common name: Iophon Sponge

    Scientific name: Iophon laevistylus
88. 
    Common name: green finger sponge

    Scientific name: Iotrochota birotulata
89. 
    Common name: Stinker Sponge

    Scientific name: Ircinia campana
90. Common name: Stinker Sponge

    Scientific name: Ircinia felix
91. Common name: black-ball sponge

    Scientific name: Ircinia strobilina
92. Common name: Serpentine Sponge

    Scientific name: Jaspis serpentina
93. Common name: Stellate Sponge

    Scientific name: Jaspis stellifera
94. Common name: Chalk Sponge

    Scientific name: Lamellodysidea herbacea
95. Common name: Dendy's Sponge

    Scientific name: Lendenfeldia dendyi
96. Common name: Paradox Sponge

    Scientific name: Liosina paradoxa
97. Common name: Sarasin's Pincushion Coral

    Scientific name: Melophlus sarasinorum
98. 
    Common name: Red Encrusting Sponge

    Scientific name: Monanchora arbuscula
99. 
    Common name: Orange Puffball Sponge

    Scientific name: Mycale laevis
100. 
     Common name: Red Beard Sponge

     Scientific name: Mycale laxissima
101. 
     Common name: Red Encrusting Sponge

     Scientific name: Mycale rotalis
102. Common name: Fimbriated Sponge

     Scientific name: Myxilla fimbriata
103. Common name: Rough scallop sponge

     Scientific name: Myxilla incrustans
104. Common name: Rosy Sponge

     Scientific name: Myxilla rosacea
105. Common name: Red Sea Apple

     Scientific name: Negombata corticata
106. 
     Common name: Red Sea Apple

     Scientific name: Negombata magnifica
107. Common name: Touch-Me-Not Sponge

     Scientific name: Neofibularia nolitangere
108. Common name: Red Sponge

     Scientific name: Neopetrosia exigua
109. Common name: Rosario's Sponge

     Scientific name: Neopetrosia rosariensis
110. 
     Common name: Pink Vase Sponge

     Scientific name: Niphates digitalis
111. Common name: Niphates olemda

     Scientific name: Niphates olemda
112. Common name: Amboina Sponge

     Scientific name: Oceanapia amboinensis
113. 
     Common name: Giant Elephant Ear Sponge

     Scientific name: Pachymatisma johnstonia
114. 
     Common name: Poisonous Sponge

     Scientific name: Petrosia ficiformis
115. 
     Common name: Chalice sponge

     Scientific name: Phakellia ventilabrum
116. Common name: Red Sponge

     Scientific name: Phorbas amaranthus
117. 
     Common name: Phorbas tenacior

     Scientific name: Phorbas tenacior
118. 
     Common name: Elephant Ear Sponge

     Scientific name: Phyllospongia lamellosa
119. 
     Common name: boring sponge

     Scientific name: Pione vastifica
120. Common name: Polymastia boletiformis

     Scientific name: Polymastia boletiformis