blue sponge

Chalinids are filter feeders that process suspended particles and dissolved organics. Some Indo-Pacific Chalinula—notably C. nematifera—can overgrow living corals and are monitored as potential coral-killing/encrusting competitors in parts of the region (Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, E. Pacific introductions). Category: Sponges Phylum: Porifera Class: Demospongiae Order: Haplosclerida Family: Chalinidae Genus: Chalinula (historically “Nara” de Laubenfels, 1954) Location:…