Stove-pipe sponge (Aplysina archeri)
Key facts
- Scientific name
- Aplysina archeri
- Common name
- Stove-pipe sponge
- Category
- Sponges
- Family
- Aplysinidae
- Genus
- Aplysina
- Size
- 50–200 cm
- Depth
- 10–40 m
- IUCN status
- Least concern (LC)
- Danger level
- Harmless
- Habitats
- coral-reef, rocky-reef
- Behaviours
- benthic, solitary
- Ocean zones
- Caribbean, Eastern Pacific, Mediterranean
Description
Aplysina archeri reaches 2 m height. Large Caribbean sponge (Aplysinidae) with long straight erect tubes purple-gray to purple-brown, smooth surface, each tube open at tip with large terminal osculum. Lives from 10 to 40 m on Caribbean coral drop-offs and reefs, Florida to Venezuela. Filter feeder. Iconic dive photo subject for elegant vertical formation silhouette, classic Caribbean reef landscapes. Very slow growth, aged individuals potentially centennial.
Photo of Stove-pipe sponge
Frequently asked questions
- How big is the Stove-pipe sponge?
- Stove-pipe sponge (Aplysina archeri) reaches 50–200 cm in length.
- At what depth can you find the Stove-pipe sponge?
- Stove-pipe sponge is found between 10–40 m deep.
- Is the Stove-pipe sponge dangerous to divers?
- Danger level: Harmless.
- What is the conservation status of the Stove-pipe sponge?
- IUCN status: Least concern (LC).
- Where can you find the Stove-pipe sponge?
- Found in: Caribbean, Eastern Pacific, Mediterranean.
Other species in the genus Aplysina
- Aplysina fulva - Yellow-brown rope sponge
- Aplysina cauliformis - Row pore rope sponge
- Aplysina aerophoba - Yellow tube sponge
Other species in the family Aplysinidae
Sources
- Taxonomy: WoRMS (AphiaID 169636)
- Photos: iNaturalist (CC BY-NC)
- Distribution: GBIF (taxonKey 2239271)
- Conservation: IUCN Red List
- Encyclopedia: Wikipedia