Barrel Sponge
Spongia officinalis
Sighting evidence at Sponge Gardens, Djerba
The commercial bath sponge — historically harvested to near-local extinction across Tunisia — has recovered significantly at this protected site, with individuals reaching 40 centimetres diameter representing decades of growth. Sponges here filter thousands of litres of water daily, playing an outsized role in local nutrient cycling and water clarity. They provide microhabitat for brittlestars, small fish, and a variety of crustaceans living inside their oscula.
Evidence at this site
No confirmed records on file at this site
Barrel Sponge is listed as a curated species here based on historical reports.