Hermit crab sponge (Suberites domuncula)
Key facts
- Scientific name
- Suberites domuncula
- Common name
- Hermit crab sponge
- Category
- Sponges
- Family
- Suberitidae
- Genus
- Suberites
- Size
- 5–25 cm
- Depth
- 3–100 m
- IUCN status
- Least concern (LC)
- Danger level
- Harmless
- Habitats
- rocky-reef, sandy-bottom
- Behaviours
- benthic, solitary
- Ocean zones
- East Atlantic, Mediterranean
Description
Suberites domuncula reaches 25 cm diameter. Sponge (Suberitidae) Mediterranean and East Atlantic temperate with massive globular to elongated body orange to yellow-orange to orange-brown, smooth to slightly granular surface, scattered oscula. Remarkable ecological feature: grows preferentially on gastropod shells inhabited by hermit crabs (Pagurus), forming a mutualistic symbiosis where the sponge protects the hermit and the hermit moves the sponge to richer areas. Lives from 3 to 100 m on sandy and rocky bottoms. Fascinating Mediterranean dive photo subject for this association.
Photo of Hermit crab sponge
Frequently asked questions
- How big is the Hermit crab sponge?
- Hermit crab sponge (Suberites domuncula) reaches 5–25 cm in length.
- At what depth can you find the Hermit crab sponge?
- Hermit crab sponge is found between 3–100 m deep.
- Is the Hermit crab sponge dangerous to divers?
- Danger level: Harmless.
- What is the conservation status of the Hermit crab sponge?
- IUCN status: Least concern (LC).
- Where can you find the Hermit crab sponge?
- Found in: East Atlantic, Mediterranean.
Similar species
- Aplysina fulva - Yellow-brown rope sponge
- Aplysina cauliformis - Row pore rope sponge
- Aplysina archeri - Stove-pipe sponge
- Agelas conifera - Brown tube sponge
- Callyspongia vaginalis - Branching vase sponge
- Callyspongia plicifera - Azure vase sponge
Sources
- Taxonomy: WoRMS (AphiaID 134282)
- Photos: iNaturalist (CC BY-NC)
- Distribution: GBIF (taxonKey 2251254)
- Conservation: IUCN Red List
- Encyclopedia: Wikipedia