Species Name: Jaspis serpentina

Authority: Wilson, 1925

Common Name: Encrusting Sponge

Range: Indo-Pacific Ocean

Natural Environment: Encrusts dead corals, coral rubble and generally any other hard substrates

General Husbandry: Has a temperature range of 68 to 83°F (20 - 28°C). This encrusting sponge is not purposely collected for aquariums, but is often found encrusting the bottom area of various substrates containing coral specimens. Shown here for identification only, as it usually dissipates in aquarium as its nutritional requirements, usually bacteria are not available in sufficient amounts to sustain it. Better left in the wild.

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