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A delicately colored, rose-pink Dumpling Sponge (Xestospongia muta,) deep off the Bloody Bay Wall, Little Cayman Island. Bloody Bay Wall, Little Cayman Island - Depth 165 feet or 50 meters |
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| * This delicately colored, rose-pink
Dumpling Sponge (Xestospongia muta) was found on an
exposed wall, deep off the Bloody Bay Wall of Little Cayman Island. We
expect this
sponge is relatively young, and will eventually become much larger.
Xestosponges are common in the Caribbean, and occur from medium depths
(1), (2),
(3), to greater depths
(4), The Xestosponge is the
largest species in volume in the Western Atlantic reefs, and can reach a
height of 5 feet or 1.5 meters. Bloody Bay Wall, Little Cayman Island - Depth 165 feet or 50 meters |
