Habitat 
Depth 
Group 
Role WHAT DOES IT LOOK LIKE?
The orange-red encrusting sponge usually forms a thin orange to orange-red layer against its surface. Rounded or irregular forms may partly reproduce shell or rock relief beneath. Area covered varies considerably among individuals.
Vein-like channels lead to oscula, the outlets through which water leaves. This visible organisation provides identification clues but does not always separate it from other orange sponges.
WHERE DOES IT LIVE?
It uses hard Mediterranean surfaces from shallow water to several tens of metres. French observations show it on rocks, parts of Posidonia and mollusc shells, including Noah’s ark shells and thorny oysters.
A sponge coating living shellfish and a sheet on rock therefore need not be different species. The surface can explain some appearance differences. Record light exposure rather than reducing habitat to depth alone.
WHAT DOES IT EAT?
It filters water to retain bacteria, single-celled organisms and other minute particles. Pumping cells circulate water through the body. It enters small pores and leaves through oscula after passing through internal structures.
Large outlets are therefore not separate mouths. The sponge is an animal without polyps or tentacles, with feeding organisation different from an anemone or coral.
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