Haliclona anonyma

Haliclona anonyma, the turret sponge or tubular fan sponge, is a species of demosponge. It is endemic to South Africa, where it occurs between the Cape Peninsula and Sodwana Bay.

Description

Haliclona anonyma grows to about across and has turrets of up to long. It is a pink to purplish or brown many-turreted sponge, which grows in sheets usually on vertical walls. The coalescent tubular branches terminate in rounded ends with slightly raised conspicuous oscules. Its surface is slightly bristly with small ostia, and its texture is soft and compressible.

Distribution and habitat

This sponge is endemic to the south and west coasts of South Africa. It occurs from the intertidal zone. It has been found to occur down to in depth. They are frequently attached to rocks by coralline algae which grows between the sponge matrix.