Species Name: Sycon ciliatum

Authority: (Fabricius, 1780) 

Common Name: Hairy Sponge

Range: Indo-Pacific Ocean/Red Sea

Natural Environment: Inhabits rubble and rocky shelf areas where currents are strong

General Husbandry: Has a temperature range of 72 - 83ºF (22 - 78ºC). These small harmless sponges, often less than 1 inch (2.5 cm), show up in aquaria and are found attached to hard surfaces. Usually a sign of good water quality and will often increase their numbers, especially where the current is quite swift and the lighting is quite strong. A very similar species in found in the Western Atlantic Ocean.

Taxonomy: Subphylum Cellularia, Class Calcarea, Subclass Calcinea, Order: Leucosoleniida