sponges text index | photo index
Phylum Porifera
Blue jorunna sponge
Neopetrosia sp.*
Family Petrosiidae
updated Jul 2020
Where seen? This bright blue sponge is sometimes seen on some of our shores. On coral rubble.

Features:
About 6-10cm sometimes larger. Is generally encrusting, with small (5cm in diameter) knobs and bumps all over. Each knob or lump has a large hole at the tip with a narrow membraneous lip, seen when the sponge is submerged. Texture somewhat rough. Usually electric blue.

It appears to be among the favourite food of the Polka-dot nudibranch (Jorunna funebris) and this nudibranch is often seen laying egg masses near the sponge.

Polka-dot nudibranch with
white egg mass near the sponge
Pulau Sekudu, Jun 06

A pair of the nudibranchs near the sponge.
Pulau Sekudu, Jun 06

Chewed up sponge
Pulau Sekudu, Jun 06


St. John's Island, Jun 07

The nudi was seen next to
a chomped up blue sponge.

Pulau Sekudu, Jul 05

Labrador, Jul 05

*Species are difficult to positively identify without close examination.
On this website, they are grouped by external features for convenience of display.

Blue jorunna sponges on Singapore shores

Photos of Blue jorunna sponges for free download from wildsingapore flickr

Distribution in Singapore on this wildsingapore flickr map


Terumbu Hantu, Jul 20
Photo shared by Richard Kuah on facebook.

Terumbu Raya, Mar 11
Photo shared by Russel Low on facebook.

Terumbu Pempang Darat, Jun 10
Photo shared by James Koh on his blog.


Pulau Salu, Jun 10

Terumbu Salu, Jan 10
 


Pulau Sudong, Dec 09

Pulau Sudong, Dec 09
Photo shared by Loh Kok Sheng on his flickr.

Pulau Berkas, May 10
Photo shared by Loh Kok Sheng on his flickr.

Links
References
  • Lim Swee Cheng, Nicole de Voogd and Tan Koh Siang. 2008. A Guide to Sponges of Singapore. Singapore Science Centre. 173pp.
  • Gosliner, Terrence M., David W. Behrens and Gary C. Williams. 1996. Coral Reef Animals of the Indo-Pacific: Animal life from Africa to Hawaii exclusive of the vertebrates Sea Challengers. 314pp.
  • Allen, Gerald R and Roger Steene. 2002. Indo-Pacific Coral Reef Field Guide. Tropical Reef Research. 378pp.
 
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