orange sponge tubes

DaveG99 · 03/25/2006, 02:19 PM

I have a piece of orange sponge on a piece of live rock and the other day I noticed that it had about 4-5 little tiny tubes coming off from it. Anyone know what this is?

Putawaywet · 03/25/2006, 03:46 PM

The species of sponge? No. The tiny tubes.... yes, those are more than likely the ostia which are small openings that the sponge uses to move water in order to feed. Inside those openings are flagella which actually move the water through the sponge, absorbing food particles as the water flows past. You should also see a slightly larger opening somewhere near the top which is called the osculum, and is where the sponge expells the water.

Brett

03/25/2006, 02:19 PM	#1
DaveG99 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Forney Texas Posts: 1,597	orange sponge tubes I have a piece of orange sponge on a piece of live rock and the other day I noticed that it had about 4-5 little tiny tubes coming off from it. Anyone know what this is?

03/25/2006, 03:46 PM	#2
Putawaywet 20 and over club Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Long Beach, CA. Posts: 2,720	The species of sponge? No. The tiny tubes.... yes, those are more than likely the ostia which are small openings that the sponge uses to move water in order to feed. Inside those openings are flagella which actually move the water through the sponge, absorbing food particles as the water flows past. You should also see a slightly larger opening somewhere near the top which is called the osculum, and is where the sponge expells the water. Brett __________________ She ain't broke, but can we fix her more better? Current Tank Info: A big box of water with some stuff in it.