Chondrosia chucalla

Meandering Sponge
small species image
click to enlarge

John P. Hoover
Halona Blowhole, O`ahu
Chucalla
Description Habitat Trophic Info
Safety Comments Links to Resources

Description: The Meandering Sponge (Chondrosia chucalla) forms low and irregularly. It sometimes branches or meanders.  The encrusting lobes are about half an inch thick, 1 inch wide, and several inches long. The texture of the sponge is smooth. The outside color of the sponge is gray or black, the inside is of light coloration.
Habitat: The Chondrosia chucalla lives in caves, crevices, and on exposed rocky shores of about 3-20 feet.
Range (include invasive, native, endemic): Meandering Sponges live in the Indo-Pacific and native to Hawai`i.
Trophic information: The Meandering Sponge filter feeds, meaning it acts like a filter, sucking in water and filtering out food particles and debris. It is eaten by Moorish Idols.
Safety: The sponge may be slippery. Spicules on the sponge can cause itching if touched with bare skin. May cause eyes to water if you stare at it for hours without blinking or try to look at it while underwater without water goggles.
Comments: This sponge is VERY fun to look at. Keep caution for overexcitement.
Links to Resources:
 
 
 
Email: web@intertidalhawaii.org
Intertidal Hawaii Home | Education Laboratory School
Website design and production by Blu Forman All rights reserved © 2004