Blue Barrel Fact Sheet

Common Name: Blue Barrel Sponge, , Marine , Siliceous

Sponges, Volcano Sponge

Scientific Name: muta

Wild Status: Least Concern

Habitat: Found on coral and rocky reef flats

Country: Sea, Bahamas, Bermuda, Florida, Gulf of Mexico

Shelter: Shallow water, Under-hangs, Caves

Life Span: 2000 years

Size: Diameter of 6 feet

Details

The Blue Barrel Sponge is one of the largest of sponge and lives mostly in the Caribbean. They can grow up to 35 feet and have a diameter of 6 feet and live up to 2000 years. As the sponge ages it begins to grow slower and take a long time to finally reach it's full size. Sponges do not have a cardiovascular system and have to have a constant water flow in order to have food, remove waste and have oxygen. They are filter feeders. The body of the sponge has many canals which helps filter the water through their bodies. The canals are lined with cells called which are flagellated. The creates a rhythmical beating so water can move easily and food can become trapped. Blue Barrel Sponge can reproduce asexually or sexually because it's a hermaphrodite. They are important to the coral reef in that they provide a habitat for crabs, shrimps, gobies, etc. Cool Facts

• The Blue Barrel Sponge dominates coral reef communities. • The Blue Barrel Sponge community in Florida Keys from Conch Reef has been studied since 1997. • The Blue Barrel Sponge is a filter feeder. • The Blue Barrel Sponges' tissues contains photosynthetic symbiotic which gives it its color. • The Blue Barrel Sponge provides a habitat for various invertebrates. • The Blue Barrel Sponge has the nickname "Redwood of the Reef" because of its size and lifespan.

Taxonomic Breakdown

Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Porifera Class: Demospongiae Order: Family: Genus: Xestospongia Species: Xestospongia muta Conservation & Helping

The Blue Barrel Sponge population is increasing but no one knows why. The speculation is that they can adapt better to environmental changes better than corals do and are moving into space left behind by dead coral. The fear is that the increase in population will do damage to the coral reefs because the sponges take up the space that baby coral need. So far nothing is being done to alter or stop the increase.

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