Suberites carnosus - Marine Life Encyclopedia

Suberites carnosus (Johnston, 1842)

Suberites carnosus

Description: The colour of this sponge varies from shades of pale yellow, buff, pale orange and brown. Typically it forms a massive fig shape, attached by a short, thick stalk to the substratum. The surface is smooth with a velvety feel. There is usually one compound oscule at the top.

Habitat: This sponge is usually found attached to horizontal rock surfaces but is also found in muddy places attached to shells or stones buried in the mud.

Distribution: A common species on all coasts of the British Isles.

Similar Species: This species may be confused with Tethya aurantium is similar in shape but has a warty surface. Suberites ficus has a similar appearance but is bright orange colour and is massive-lobose in shape.

Key Identification Features:

Stalked, spherical sponge.
Velvety surface.

Distribution Map: NBN map : National Biodiversity Network mapping facility, data for UK.

WoRMS: Species record : World Register of Marine Species.

iNaturalist: Species account : iNaturalist World Species Observations database

Picton, B.E. & Morrow, C.C. (2016). Suberites carnosus (Johnston, 1842). [In] Encyclopedia of Marine Life of Britain and Ireland.
https://www.habitas.org.uk/marinelife/species.asp?item=C2200 Accessed on 2025-05-19

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