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Blue spatula sponge Lamellodysidea herbacea* Family Dysideidae updated Dec 11 Where seen? This pale blue prickly sponge is commonly seen on our Southern shores, growing over coral rubble. Features: Small, covering an area of 10-15cm. The sponge can take various forms; flat spatula-like fingers, lettuce-like 'leaves', spindly branches, short thicker lobes, all emerging from an encrusting base. Younger ones may look like cabbages with upright lobes arranged in a maze-like pattern. Surface texture prickly. A few small holes at the top edges. Colours from a pale greyish blue to greenish due to the cyanobacteria that inhabit the sponge. Cyanobacteria contain a bluish pigment phycocyanin that is used to capture light for photosynthesis. They also contain chlorophyll.

Labrador, Apr 05

Labrador, Mar 05

Labrador, Mar 05

Labrador, Apr 05

Terumbu Pempang Darat, Jun 10

Sentosa, Apr 07 A young sponge may look like a cabbage.

Kusu Island, Jun 04

more photos of blue spatula sponges on Singapore shores
northern shores
southern shores part 1 | part 2 | part 3 | part 4 | part 5