Although local reefs are considered coral reefs, sponges play several important ecological roles in the coral reef ecosystem. They cycle nutrients, they provide shelter and habitat, and they are a food source for turtles and a few fish species.
Sponges are simple animals that pump water in and out. Between the flow in and the flow out, each sponge filters food and oxygen from the water. Sponges are diverse in their shapes, colors, and sizes.
The photos below were taken on a single dive, at depths from 25 to 50 feet.
 |
| A rope sponge, with a trumpetfish |
 |
| A rope sponge with an azure vase sponge |
 |
| A touch-me-not sponge |
 |
| A vase sponge with a branching tube sponge |
 |
| A rope sponge, a lumpy overgrowing sponge, and a branching vase sponge |
No comments:
Post a Comment