Species Name: Smenospongia aurea

Authority: (Hyatt, 1875)

Common Name: Brown Rubber Sponge

Range: Western Atlantic Ocean: Caribbean, Bahamas, Cuba, Haiti, Bonaire

Natural Environment: Inhabits rubble areas near mangroves

General Husbandry: Has a temperature range of 72 to 79°F (22 - 26°C). These encrusting sponges sometimes show up on pilings. Basically of no value for aquariums, however, may also show up on coral rubble. Discussed here for identification purpose only.

Note: For a photo of this sponge, visit the Baensch Marine Atlas Vol. 2, page 115.

Taxonomy: Subphylum Cellularia, Class Demospongiae, Subclass Ceractinomorpha, Order: Dictyoceratida