Red encrusting sponge explained

The red encrusting sponge (Clathria oudekraalensis) is a species of sea sponge.^[1] It is known only from the South African coast, on both sides of the Cape Peninsula. It is endemic to this region.

Description

The red encrusting sponge grows to about 1 cm in thickness and up to 30 cm wide. It is a bright red encrusting sponge. Its surface is smooth and the oscula are not visible.^[2]

Habitat

This sponge lives on rocky reefs in 6-24m of water.

Notes and References

1. Samaai, T. and Gibbons, M.J. 2005. Demospongiae taxonomy and biodiversity of the Benguela region on the west coast of South Africa. Afr. Nat. Hist. 1(1):1-96
2. Jones, Georgina. A field guide to the marine animals of the Cape Peninsula. SURG, Cape Town, 2008.