Species Name: Astreopus sarrassinorum

Authority: (Thiele, 1903)

Common Name: Starpore Sponge

Range: Indo-Pacific Ocean

Natural Environment: Inhabits upper reef slopes attached to corals where currents are strong and water is high in sediment

General Husbandry: Has a temperature range of 72 to 83°F (22 - 28°C). Rarely seen in the trade, and if so, comes attached to stony corals. It would be difficult to maintain in captivity. Discussed here for identification only.

Note: For a photo of this sponge, visit the Baensch Marine Atlas Vol. 2, page 28.

Taxonomy: Subphylum Cellularia, Class Demospongiae, Subclass Tetractinomorpha, Order: Astrophorida