sponges text index | photo index
Phylum Porifera
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

Photos of Blue icing sponges for free download from wildsingapore flickr

Distribution in Singapore on this wildsingapore flickr map


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.
 
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