Giant barrel sponge
Xestospongia muta
Sighting evidence at North Wall, Grand Cayman
Giant barrel sponges are among the largest and longest-lived invertebrates on Caribbean reefs, with some individuals estimated to be over 2000 years old. On the North Wall they grow to 2 metres in diameter, providing shelter for gobies, brittle stars, and shrimp in their central osculum. They are filter feeders that process enormous volumes of water daily, playing a fundamental role in nutrient cycling and water clarity on the reef.
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.