Blue
icing sponge
Lendenfeldia cf.
chondrodes*
Family Thorectidae
updated
Oct 2016
Where
seen?
This smooth sponge forms a layer over coral rubble and is often seen
on our Southern shores. It does remind of icing on a cake!
Features: The layer
encrusts coral rubble and may cover an area of 20cm wide or more.
Sometimes, also encrusts living coral. Generally a smooth layer but
also often with irregular knobs, folds and lobes. Tiny circular holes
at the top of folds and elsewhere. Texture glossy, smooth and rubbery.
Colours pale to bright blue. Sometimes green.
May be confused with Smooth
green sponge which is not as smooth has has a texture of tiny
bumps. Also similar to the Smooth brown
sponges (Neopetrosia exigua) which are brown. |
Sisters Islands, Jan 06
|
Lazarus, Jul 04
|
|
|
Sentosa, Apr 04
|
Sisters Island, Jul 04
|
Sentosa, Jun 06
|
*Species are difficult to positively identify without close examination.
On this website, they are grouped by external features for convenience of
display.
Blue
icing sponges on Singapore shores |
Pulau Biola, Dec 09 |
|
Pulau Biola, May 10 |
Links
References
- Lim Swee
Cheng, Nicole de Voogd and Tan Koh Siang. 2008. A
Guide to Sponges of Singapore. Singapore Science Centre.
173pp.
|
|
|