Phylum Porifera
Barrel sponge
Xestospongia testudinaria*
Family Petrosiidae
updated Aug 09
Where seen? This maroon barrel-shaped sponge is sometimes seen on many of our shores, near and in reefs.

 Features: The sponge is generally vase- or barrel-shaped, larger ones with a cavity in the centre. There are often finger-like bumps or ridges on the outside. Often several 'vases' of various sizes are found together emerging from what appears to be a common base. Those on the intertidal are about 10-20cm in diameter and about 10-20cm tall. But it is said that those found in deeper waters can grow to more than 1m tall. It is maroon to pinkish and the 'opening' of the barrel is paler to white.

Chek Jawa, Jan 02
The outside of the sponge is often covered with tiny beige bits that are unidentified.

Sometimes synaptid sea cucumbers are also seen draped on the outside.

It it not correct to refer to this sponge as the Neptune's cup sponge, which is another much larger sponge (Cliona patera) that is no longer found in Singapore.

Sponge synaptid sea cucumbers
on the outside of the sponge,
with beige unindentified bits.
Tuas, Aug 04

Coated with unidentified
tiny beige bits on the outside.
Chek Jawa, Jun 06
Barrel sponges on Singapore shores

Pulau Semakau, Aug 08

Tuas, Aug 04

Tuas, May 05

Tuas, Aug 04

more photos of barrel sponges on Singapore shores
northern shores | southern shores

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

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