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Orange blob sponge Mycale sp.* Family Mycalidae updated Dec 11 Where seen? This bright orange sponge is sometimes seen on coral rubble on some of our shores. Features: 8-10cm in diameter. The sponge starts inside a crevice but can eventually grow into a dome-shaped or oval shape with a smooth surface, sometimes with small holes (0.5cm). In some, the holes are occupied by tiny brittle stars, with only their short arms sticking out. Some may also be inhabited by animals with a feathery fan, or have unidentified tiny beige bits on the outside. Colour a vivid orange-red. Bright orange sponges which are encrusting may come from a variety of species and families including other Mycale spp., Tedania sp. and Hymerhabdia sp. They are difficult to tell apart in the field.

Chek Jawa, May 04

Pulau Sekudu, Jun 05

Tiny brittle stars in the holes.

Chek Jawa, Jun 06

Beting Bronok, Jul 05

Tuas, Nov 03 Tiny animals with a feathery fan.

Pulau Semakau, Aug 07

Beting Bemban Besar, Jun 09

Terumbu Salu, Jan 10

more photos of orange blob sponges on Singapore shores
northern shores
southern shores part 1 | part 2 | part 3 | part 4