Pensoft: Checklist of biodiversity data
Info
As the species name "bahamensis" makes clear, this marine sponge is native to the Caribbean, where it is found in shallow reefs, mesophotic reefs, shallower cave habitats and coral algae reefs.
Topsentia bahamensis forms a massive columnar shape with a round or blunt tip, reaching a height of 10cm and a diameter of 2 - 4cm.
The sponge is reddish-brown on the outside and light brown on the inside when alive.
The surface of the sea sponge is visually smooth, feels like sandpaper.
The consistency of Topsentia bahamensis is very firm, but friable.
Color white to cream (grayish to brown), often with yellow-orange symbiotic zoanthids (Parazoanthus swiftii) covering part of the surface.
Similar species
Topsentia ophiraphidites (de Laubenfels, 1934)
Topsentia bahamensis forms a massive columnar shape with a round or blunt tip, reaching a height of 10cm and a diameter of 2 - 4cm.
The sponge is reddish-brown on the outside and light brown on the inside when alive.
The surface of the sea sponge is visually smooth, feels like sandpaper.
The consistency of Topsentia bahamensis is very firm, but friable.
Color white to cream (grayish to brown), often with yellow-orange symbiotic zoanthids (Parazoanthus swiftii) covering part of the surface.
Similar species
Topsentia ophiraphidites (de Laubenfels, 1934)
