Phylum Porifera (sponges)
Xestospongia muta
61 to 100+ ft
This massive sponge is indeed shaped like a giant barrel. Its body wall is very hard with a rough, sandpaper-like texture. The outer surface is grooved or knobby, while the inside is relatively smooth. It is brown to rusty red in color. The giant barrel sponge is common throughout the Caribbean. It inhabits coral reef faces and drop-offs at depth of 50 to 130 feet (15 - 40 m), making it rather abundant in the Cayman Islands. Reef debris often collects in the bottom of large sponges. Small gobies and invertebrates may inhabit the interior, as well. This sponge is grows very slowly, at a rate of about 1 ? inches per year. Large specimens are thought to be at least 100 years old. Divers should resist the urge to climb in or sit on these venerable structures.
Back to the Fish Finder