Giant barrel sponge
Xestospongia muta
Sighting evidence at Conception Island Wall, Long Island
Giant barrel sponges are the dominant structural organism on the Conception Island wall, some individuals reaching 1.5 metres in diameter and estimated to be over 2000 years old — they are sometimes called the 'redwoods of the reef.' They filter enormous volumes of seawater, playing a critical role in nutrient cycling. The intact population here is particularly notable as barrel sponges are vulnerable to bleaching events that have devastated populations elsewhere in the Bahamas.
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.