scubaseason

Giant Barrel Sponge

Xestospongia testudinaria

Sighting evidence at Hawakil Bay Wall, Dahlak Archipelago

Enormous specimens up to 1.5 m tall colonize the upper sections of the wall, their cavities providing shelter for shrimp, hawkfish, and small cephalopods.

Evidence at this site

No confirmed records on file at this site

Giant Barrel Sponge is listed as a curated species here based on historical reports.

How is this calculated?

Sighting evidence is compiled from iNaturalist observation records within a set proximity radius, filtered for quality-grade observations. “Last confirmed” is the date of the most recent research-grade record. Record count covers a rolling 24-month window. Confidence reflects record count, recency, and consistency of seasonal signal.

Also seen at other sites