---
title: Sponge (Porifera)
scientific_name: Porifera
common_name: Sponge
rank: Phylum
published: 2024-11-19T18:41:51.573Z
updated: 2026-08-03T21:18:52.158Z
tags: Sponge, Porifera, Red Sea, Marine Life, Diving
url: https://redseacreatures.com/taxon/invertebrate/sponge
---

# Sponge (*Porifera*)

## Quick facts

- **Rank:** Phylum
- **Scientific name:** Porifera
- **Species listed here:** 7

## How to recognise this group

- sessile, permanently attached to hard surfaces
- body lacking distinct organs, limbs, or sensory structures
- surface typically perforated by numerous small pores
- highly variable forms: encrusting, massive, branching, cup, or tube

Sponges are multicellular marine animals varying significantly in form, colour, and size. Their bodies are perforated by numerous pores and channels, allowing for constant water flow through their structure. They appear as encrusting mats, massive irregular growths, branching forms, or distinctive cup and tube shapes. Colours often include shades of red, orange, yellow, purple, and brown. Individual sponges range in size from a few centimetres to over 1 meter (3.3 ft) across. Most species are firm or somewhat elastic to the touch, owing to an internal skeleton of mineral spicules or flexible spongin fibers.

Sponges are sessile, attaching to hard underwater surfaces from shallow reef crests down to over 100 m (330 ft) on reef walls and slopes. They are abundant throughout coral reefs and frequently observed by divers. Most sponges feed by filtering bacteria and microscopic particles from the water column. Some host photosynthesizing microorganisms, which contribute to their nutritional intake.


## Species (7)

- [Arabian Crust-sponge (Hemimycele arabica)](https://redseacreatures.com/taxon/invertebrate/sponge/arabian-crust-sponge)
- [Barrel Sponge (Xestospongia testudinaria)](https://redseacreatures.com/taxon/invertebrate/sponge/barrel-sponge)
- [Colonial Tube-sponge (Callyspongia siphonella)](https://redseacreatures.com/taxon/invertebrate/sponge/colonial-tube-sponge)
- [Honeycomb Sponge (Crella (Grayella) cyathophora)](https://redseacreatures.com/taxon/invertebrate/sponge/honeycomb-sponge)
- [Ircinia Atrovirens (Ircinia atrovirens)](https://redseacreatures.com/taxon/invertebrate/sponge/ircinia-atrovirens)
- [Polyp Sponge (Mycale fistulifera)](https://redseacreatures.com/taxon/invertebrate/sponge/polyp-sponge)
- [Toxic Finger Sponge (Negombata magnifica)](https://redseacreatures.com/taxon/invertebrate/sponge/toxic-finger-sponge)

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*Source: [Red Sea Creatures](https://redseacreatures.com/taxon/invertebrate/sponge)*
*Updated: August 3, 2026*